"Life-or-Death Escape"... Audio Testimonies of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule Donated

Civic Group Receives Four Donated Items, Including Audio Tape
Detailed Accounts of Shipyard Labor and Escape by Smuggler's Boat Included

Testimonies containing the voices of victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial era have been returned to a civic group.

On April 27, the Civic Group for Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Colonial Rule announced that it had received a donation of four materials related to the late Hwang Kwangryong's forced mobilization from his bereaved family member, Hwang Somi, who resides in Buk-gu, Gwangju. The donated items include an audio tape—approximately 50 minutes long—recorded around 1996, a USB containing the audio file, an official report of forced mobilization damage issued by the National Archives of Korea, and a review record for consolation payment application.

The Citizens' Group for Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule received four related materials, including a voice tape left by the late Hwang Kwangryong, a victim of forced labor, from his bereaved family. Provided by the Citizens' Group for Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule

Born in 1920 in Jangseong, South Jeolla Province, Hwang was forcibly mobilized in November 1942 at the age of 23 to work at the Wakamatsu Shipyard in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The donated tape specifically details the route he took to Japan, the horrific labor conditions he endured, and the process of escaping back to Mokpo in April 1944 by securing a smuggler's boat with a hometown friend, passing through Tsushima Island and Wando.

The civic group delivered a certificate of donation to the bereaved family and expressed its gratitude. These materials will be treasured and used as important resources for exhibitions, historical research, and educational purposes to convey the reality of forced mobilization.

The number of surviving victims of forced mobilization is rapidly declining. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, as of January this year, there were 434 surviving victims of overseas forced mobilization nationwide, a decrease of 206 from 640 just a year ago.

A representative of the civic group emphasized, "Even a faded photograph or a single worn document is a valuable piece of evidence that reveals historical truth. If such items remain in private hands, they are easily lost, but when these scattered fragments of memory are collected, they become powerful evidence exposing the atrocities of Japanese imperialism."

The representative added, "We strongly encourage the donation of any records, photographs, diaries, or videos showing the reality of forced labor—even small materials are valuable. If the original is to be retained, we make a copy, return the original to the owner, and issue a certificate of donation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.