Jeonnam Province Launches Investigation to Uncover the Truth Behind the "Millihwancho Incident"

Jeonnam Province has officially launched an investigation to uncover the truth behind the forced mobilization of Koreans during the Japanese colonial era. In particular, the province aims to shed light on the Millihwancho incident, which occurred in the final phase of the Pacific War and has not been properly highlighted until now, with the goal of securing national-level compensation and restoring the victims' honor.

On the 17th, Jeonnam Province held a kickoff briefing at the provincial government office for the "Research Project on the Actual Conditions of Forced Mobilization Victims at Millihwancho," where it outlined the direction and detailed plans for the investigation.

The research project will be conducted by the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation at Dongguk University, led by senior researcher Sim Jaeuk.

The Millihwancho incident refers to an event in which Koreans were forcibly mobilized to Millihwancho in the Marshall Islands during the final stages of the Pacific War, where they suffered from starvation and harsh treatment and, in the process of resistance, became victims of mass sacrifice. According to records released last year by the Japanese Navy, out of a total of 640 victims, 576 were confirmed to be from Jeonnam Province, highlighting the need for a systematic investigation at the regional level.

Jeonnam Province held a kickoff report meeting on the victim survey research project for forced mobilization at Millihwancho on the 17th.
[Photo by Jeonnam Province]

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At the briefing, proposals were made to identify the background and routes of the Millihwancho mobilization and to systematically analyze the scale and nature of the damage suffered by the victims.

The investigation will go beyond simple literature review, incorporating oral testimonies from survivors and bereaved families, as well as on-site research, to enhance the reliability of the historical records.

The scope of the investigation will not be limited to Jeonnam Province but will also be expanded to include the Gwangju region.

Based on the results of this investigation, Jeonnam Province plans to lay the foundation for memorial projects, while also recommending additional truth-finding efforts, official recognition of victims, and compensation support at the national level. The intention is to link regional records with national policy.

An official from Jeonnam Province stated, "This will not simply be an effort to organize past events, but an opportunity to restore the victims' honor and establish this history as an integral part of the region."

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