Military Intelligence Service Captured Personnel & Material Branch

“ This is proper in the Korean way of thinking but direct conscription of women by the Japanese would be an outrage that the old and young alike would not tolerate. Men would rise up in a rage, killing Japanese no matter what consequence they might suffer. 19. Older Koreans who lived in the days of Korean independence invariably hate the Japanese. While some younger men who have attended Japanese schools are outwardly pro-Japanese; many of them are most outspoken in their feeling against the Japanese rule. ”

“ One prisoner is definitely pro-Russian and would like to see a communistic form of government in Korea. China is considered a weak nation incapable of handling its own problems, much less those of Korea. Most Koreans look to America for their liberation. 22, Koreans in the Pacific Islands receive very cruel treatment from the Japanese. All prisoners knew of civilian laborers who were killed by Japanese soldiers for fear that they would give themselves up to the Allies. ”

“ The three prisoners would welcome the opportunity to receive military training and then fight the Japanese. They feel that they would be best suited for guerrilla warfare. 25. There is no resentment against Koreans holding official positions. Individuals may be disliked but it is generally felt that as a whole they should retain their position in any future government of Korea. 26. One prisoner is of the opinion that all Japanese should be removed from Korea. "A Japanese is always a Japanese at heart" and in case of future troubles with Japan any remaining would be a detriment to Korea. ”

“ Women and children do more farm work than they did before the war. Villagers all pitch in and help wherever needed. In the southern provinces of Korea, the farmers are required to put one half of the cultivated land, excluding rice plots, into cotton. ”

“ In April 1944, a law was passed forbidding Koreans to travel over 100 km on any vehicle without a permit from the police, Pedestrians are not controlled. Citizens are subject to inspection by government officials in their homes at any time. Inspections are not made very often but when they are, full account must be made of every one in the household. ”

“ One PW who lived in Japan had many personal contacts with Koreans working in coal and iron mines, and building airfields. They were always required to do the worst type of work such as was found in the deepest and hottest part of a mine. Men working at the coal mines received ¥ 3.50 per day out of which ¥ 0.10 was put in postal savings. ”

“ Koreans în Japan would counterbalance the Japanese în Korea. 27. Prisoners believe that Korea should be governed temporarily by United Nations representatives. This would be accepted by all Koreans. Straight American government would be acceptable to many but any other single nation would be met with opposition. 28. Village government would operate normally and without help if the country were under United Nations control. There are an average of 60 police in each kun, 50% of whom are Koreans. ”

“ The war has brought about no noticeable change in the percentage or position of Koreans working on railroads. Conductors, railroad engineers, or any other job with the exception of station master may be held by Koreans. ”

“ Koreans have not been allowed to migrate to North China, Manchuria, or Japan since 1942. One PW said that Koreans are conscripted to work in Manchuria, the other two said that no conscripts were sent to Manchuria. 5. Any one refusing to be conscripted is imprisoned and his family deprived of food. ”

“ For the same reason the 1945 crop was only a little better. Since 1941 all crops have been below average because of the complete absence of commercial fertilizers. There has been no crop land left untended because of shortage of labor. ”