Korea Under Japan

KOREA UNDER JAPAN The organization of the Government-general of Chosen was established under Gen. Seiki Terauchi on Oct. I, 1910. During the following nine years the freedom of the Korean people was intol erably restricted. The governor was given practically absolute power, independent of the cabinet or diet, responsible only to the emperor, who approved important measures, but vetoed none. All foreigners were put under Japanese law, extra-territoriality being abolished. Some of the greatest Japanese soldiers, skilful police and expert statesmen were brought over to control affairs. The country made great material progress; railway mileage was in creased, roads reconstructed, public buildings erected, agriculture and sanitation improved. However, this was done to establish mili tary autocracy for the exclusive benefit of Japan. In carrying on the policy of Ito—Japanizing the people—the national ideals and culture of the Korean people have been ignored.

The legal, social, intellectual and economic life of the country was distinctly divided into two parts—one for the Japanese and the other for the Koreans. High official positions are opened to the former. In salary, the Japanese receives 4o% more than the Korean with the same rank and a similar post. In the Korean schools, the Korean language, the history of Korea and of Western nations, political economy or any subject that would stimulate patriotism are prohibited. Every book or paper published in the country has first to be submitted to the censor, even foreigners being subject to this regulation. Spies keeping "a fatherly eye" on all Korean scholars cause constant arrest and prompt imprison ment. The police have the right to arrest anyone without a war rant. The Annual Report says "The total number of criminal cases decided during the year 1916 by police summary judgment reached 56,013, involving 82,121 offenders, being an increase of 14,777 cases and 21,750 offenders over those of the preceding year. Of the persons implicated in these cases, 81,139 were sentenced, 30 proved their innocence, and the remaining 952 were pardoned."

Fines, flogging, imprisonment and exile to inaccessible islands are common punishments.

The Commercial Position.

The Korean merchant cannot compete on equal terms with his Japanese fellow tradesman : in post offices and custom houses, for example, he must wait until all the Japanese have been attended to. Economic oppression has ruined many merchants and farmers. The Oriental Development company was established for the colonization of the Japanese im migrants, who are given implements, lands and other necessary assistance. By the agency of this and the Chosen Industrial Bank, Ltd.—a semi-official banking institution and private Japanese organization—more than one-fifth of the richest lands in Korea are already in Japanese hands. Since the Korean is unpaid for la bour in road construction, etc., and has tax obligations and his own necessities to meet, he sells his lands at a disadvantage. Japanese settlers are arriving in increasing numbers while the Koreans are forced to withdraw to the north into Manchuria and Vladivostok. The Chosen Government reports that 45,000 Koreans migrated from Korea to north China in the year 1919.

The Korean has no individual freedom, and is beaten and cuffed by the lowest JapaneZe coolie, regardless of his position.

The majority of the intelligent and patriotic Koreans are Chris tians. In the autumn of 1911, the police arrested the leaders among them on the charge that they had been conspiring to assassi nate Governor-general Terauchi. Nine were exiled, three died under secret tortures and on Sept. 28, 106 of these accused men including Baron Yun Chi Ho, after severe trial, were sentenced to prison. Since the Koreans have no privilege in press, use of the mother tongue, free speech, etc., they naturally migrate to other countries, whither the Japanese spies follow them. The movement in favour of independence is therefore most secret.