January 16, 2026Jan 16, 2026
KCNA KCNA.kp (En)

Explosion of Ukishima-maru Shows Japan's Unethical Crime

Date: 24/08/2024 | Source: KCNA.kp (En) | Read original version at source

Pyongyang, August 24 (KCNA) -- On August 24, 1945, the Japan-flagged ship Ukishima-maru carrying thousands of Koreans was blown up and sunk in the waters off Maizuru Port of Japan.

After hearing the news of the defeat of the Japanese imperialists, a large number of Koreans who were subject to medieval slave labor in Japan were so pleased that they were able to return their beloved home as Korea was liberated on August 15, 1945.

The Japanese reactionaries hatched a massacre plot in order to give vent to their anger at the defeat. So they persuaded or forced many Koreans to use the ship, saying that it is the only ship to sail to Korea.

At that time, ships of more than 100 tons were not allowed to sail in the territorial waters of Japan under the order of the Allied Forces, but the sailing of Ukishima-maru of over 4 000 tons was approved by the Japanese Ministry of Navy.

On August 22, 1945, the ship left Ominato Port with a small amount of fuel, sailed to the south along the western coast of Japan, and suddenly turned the helm near the port of Maizuru.

On Aug. 24, 1945, the Japanese on board fled by boat just before the explosion.

Soon, loud explosive sounds were heard several times and the ship was sunk, broken in two. And the Koreans were buried at sea.

After the incident occurred, the Japanese reactionaries made desperate efforts to cover up the truth behind the explosion of Ukishima-maru, terming it a "sinking accident caused by a mine".

But the Japanese reactionaries' assertion was clearly proved to be a sheer lie by the testimonies of the survivors and all the corroborative facts.

The explosion was not a mere sinking accident but a massacre committed according to the Japanese imperialists' premeditated and intentional manipulation.

This incident tells us how persistent and barbarous Japan's policy of exterminating the Korean nation was. -0-

www.kcna.kp (Juche113.8.24.)

More From KCNA.kp (En)

Pyongyang Teachers Training College

Pyongyang Teachers Training College

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang Teachers Training College is leading the Korean-style educational revolution while

January 16, 2026

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang Teachers Training College is leading the Korean-style educational revolution while

New Houses Built in North Hwanghae Province of DPRK

New Houses Built in North Hwanghae Province of DPRK

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day,

January 16, 2026

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day,

Pleasure on Ice Rinks

Pleasure on Ice Rinks

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Open-air ice rinks in the DPRK are now full of people. The outdoor ice rink near to the Ice Rink

January 16, 2026

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Open-air ice rinks in the DPRK are now full of people. The outdoor ice rink near to the Ice Rink

Young People Pay Floral Tribute to Statues of Great Leaders

Young People Pay Floral Tribute to Statues of Great Leaders

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- The participants in the commemorations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic

January 16, 2026

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- The participants in the commemorations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic

Press Review

Press Review

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Friday: - An

January 16, 2026

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Friday: - An

Winter Sports Activities Brisk at Schools in Pyongyang

Winter Sports Activities Brisk at Schools in Pyongyang

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Schools at all levels in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, are conducting brisk winter

January 16, 2026

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Schools at all levels in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, are conducting brisk winter

Koryo Paper, Precious Cultural Heritage of Korean Nation

Koryo Paper, Precious Cultural Heritage of Korean Nation

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Among the valuable cultural heritages created by the resourceful and intelligent Korean people is

January 16, 2026

Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Among the valuable cultural heritages created by the resourceful and intelligent Korean people is

Socialist Emulation among Regional-industry Factories in DPRK

Socialist Emulation among Regional-industry Factories in DPRK

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- The regional-industry factories built in 20 cities and counties across the DPRK are conducting a

January 15, 2026

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- The regional-industry factories built in 20 cities and counties across the DPRK are conducting a

Exhibition of Sci-tech Achievements Goes on in DPRK

Exhibition of Sci-tech Achievements Goes on in DPRK

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- The exhibition of sci-tech achievements in different sectors of the national economy-2025 is

January 15, 2026

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- The exhibition of sci-tech achievements in different sectors of the national economy-2025 is

Newspaper Saenal (New Day)

Newspaper Saenal (New Day)

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- Today marks the 98th anniversary of the founding of the newspaper Saenal (New Day), the first

January 15, 2026

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- Today marks the 98th anniversary of the founding of the newspaper Saenal (New Day), the first

Press Review

Press Review

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Thursday: - The

January 15, 2026

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Thursday: - The

Pyongyang Raengmyon

Pyongyang Raengmyon

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- It is winter now. But Okryu Restaurant in the capital city of the DPRK is crowded with people

January 15, 2026

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- It is winter now. But Okryu Restaurant in the capital city of the DPRK is crowded with people

Trolley Buses, Bus Stops and Roads Remodeled in Hamhung City of DPRK

Trolley Buses, Bus Stops and Roads Remodeled in Hamhung City of DPRK

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK has modernized trolley buses, bus stops and roads in Hamhung

January 15, 2026

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK has modernized trolley buses, bus stops and roads in Hamhung

New Houses Built at Farms in Kangwon Province

New Houses Built at Farms in Kangwon Province

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- New socialist ideal farm villages have been built in Kangwon Province of the DPRK, adding pleasure

January 15, 2026

Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- New socialist ideal farm villages have been built in Kangwon Province of the DPRK, adding pleasure

Worker-Peasant Red Guards Marks Its Founding Anniversary

Worker-Peasant Red Guards Marks Its Founding Anniversary

Pyongyang, January 14 (KCNA) -- Today marks the 67th anniversary of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards, the Juche-oriented militia

January 14, 2026

Pyongyang, January 14 (KCNA) -- Today marks the 67th anniversary of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards, the Juche-oriented militia

Juche-oriented Civilian Defence Forces

Juche-oriented Civilian Defence Forces

Pyongyang, January 14 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung developed the plan to found the Juche-oriented civilian defence forces on

January 14, 2026

Pyongyang, January 14 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung developed the plan to found the Juche-oriented civilian defence forces on

Press Review

Press Review

Pyongyang, January 14 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Wednesday: - The

January 14, 2026

Pyongyang, January 14 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Wednesday: - The

More Articles