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, January 6 (KCNA) -- A national photo exhibition "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive
January 06, 2026
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- A national photo exhibition "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- January is the coldest month of a year. And it has Sohan (moderate cold) and Taehan (intense cold),
January 06, 2026
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- January is the coldest month of a year. And it has Sohan (moderate cold) and Taehan (intense cold),
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- More than 32 000 rural dwellings were built across the DPRK last year. Many agricultural workers in
January 06, 2026
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- More than 32 000 rural dwellings were built across the DPRK last year. Many agricultural workers in
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Tuesday: - The
January 06, 2026
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Tuesday: - The
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang Electric Cable General Factory 326 is making innovations in the production of various
January 06, 2026
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang Electric Cable General Factory 326 is making innovations in the production of various
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Officials and workers in the forestry sector of the DPRK have produced more than 10 000 cubic
January 06, 2026
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Officials and workers in the forestry sector of the DPRK have produced more than 10 000 cubic
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- New houses have been built at the Taljon Farm in Tanchon City and Kuup and Rimphyong farms in Yodok
January 06, 2026
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- New houses have been built at the Taljon Farm in Tanchon City and Kuup and Rimphyong farms in Yodok
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Public health organs in Pyongyang Municipality launched a field medical service campaign. At the
January 06, 2026
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Public health organs in Pyongyang Municipality launched a field medical service campaign. At the
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Young people in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK have volunteered to work at major worksites of
January 06, 2026
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Young people in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK have volunteered to work at major worksites of
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs
January 06, 2026
Pyongyang, January 6 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun on Monday says in an article that the Workers' Party of Korea is the most prestigious
January 05, 2026
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun on Monday says in an article that the Workers' Party of Korea is the most prestigious
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- Hundreds of units in the DPRK won the December 15 Quality Medal, February 2 Goods Certification and
January 05, 2026
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- Hundreds of units in the DPRK won the December 15 Quality Medal, February 2 Goods Certification and
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in Rodong Sinmun, a leading newspaper of the DPRK, on
January 05, 2026
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in Rodong Sinmun, a leading newspaper of the DPRK, on
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- Workers of the Kujang Cement Factory in the DPRK carried out the blasting of 100 000 cubic meters
January 05, 2026
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- Workers of the Kujang Cement Factory in the DPRK carried out the blasting of 100 000 cubic meters
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- Officials and workers of the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill in the DPRK are increasing the
January 05, 2026
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- Officials and workers of the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill in the DPRK are increasing the
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- The respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un provided a reception for the art troupe of Korean
January 05, 2026
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- The respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un provided a reception for the art troupe of Korean
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- New houses were built at the Changbong Farm in Jonchon County and the Ryonsong Farm in Chosan
January 05, 2026
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- New houses were built at the Changbong Farm in Jonchon County and the Ryonsong Farm in Chosan
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- A sub-unit under a major firing strike group of the Korean People's Army conducted a missile
January 05, 2026
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- A sub-unit under a major firing strike group of the Korean People's Army conducted a missile
Pyongyang, January 4 (KCNA) -- A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question raised
January 04, 2026
Pyongyang, January 4 (KCNA) -- A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question raised
Pyongyang, January 4 (KCNA) -- Proud entities showing rural development were built at the Pobu Farm in Kaechon City and Phungthan
January 04, 2026
Pyongyang, January 4 (KCNA) -- Proud entities showing rural development were built at the Pobu Farm in Kaechon City and Phungthan
More Articles