Forgotten Korean Suicide Attacker ‘Hero’ celebrated by Imperial Japan: Park Gwan-bin (박관빈, 朴官彬) charged into an Allied machine-gun nest clutching an anti-tank explosive during the Burma Campaign in Dec. 1944

In the annals of forgotten history, few figures exemplify the complex and tragic reality of Korean soldiers in the Imperial Japanese Army quite like Park Gwan-bin (朴官彬), who is featured in the following propaganda news articles from January 1945 that are translated and transcribed below. 

Park Gwan-bin

Park, hailing from a rural village in Wiwon County in northern Korea, volunteered for the Imperial Army and met his death in Burma in December 1944 during the Burma campaign, charging into an enemy position while clutching an anti-tank explosive. His suicide attack destroyed a fortified machine-gun nest, paving the way for his comrades’ advance. The Imperial Japanese press at the time lavishly honored him, painting him as a model of unwavering loyalty and sacrifice as a land-based kamikaze attacker. His heroism was not only a personal achievement but a shared glory, extending to his family, his village, and even his entire county. As the articles show, his nine family members—including his parents, wife, daughter, younger brother, and uncle—were publicly associated with his 'martyrdom', an honor that might have carried tangible social and economic benefits.

The party leader of the Korean Federation of National Power (国民総力朝鮮連盟, 국민총력조선연맹), the monolithic party that ruled Korea under Japanese occupation, also celebrated Park’s sacrifice, tying it to Korea’s collective wartime contribution. The party leader also eulogized Lim Jang-su (림장수, 林長守), a Korean kamikaze pilot who destroyed a U.S. Navy vessel in the Philippines in a December 7, 1944 attack, as well as Matsui Hideo, originally named In Jae-ung (인재웅, 印在雄), another Korean kamikaze pilot who also died in the Philippines in a November 29, 1944 attack. In Jae-ung was quite possibly the first Korean kamikaze pilot ever to die in combat. A translation of a brief biographical article about In Jae-ung from the NHK Japanese news service is provided at the end of this post.

Park’s sacrifice was not only a source of honor for his family but also for various stakeholders who basked in his reflected glory. The county governor openly expressed his pride in having such a hero emerge from his jurisdiction, while the director of the training center in Pyongyang, where Park was trained, also took great pride in producing a soldier of such loyalty and valor. Even Park’s squad leader, his student company commander, and the captain who oversaw his training days were drawn into the celebration of his heroism, their reputations enhanced by their association with him. These layers of commemoration indicate that battlefield martyrdom was not merely an individual act but a means to elevate an entire network of people—from local officials to military instructors—who could claim a connection to the fallen hero.

Aside from the two celebrated kamikaze pilots, this article also briefly mentions other Korean “martyrs” in passing, like Lee In-seok, who is known to be the first Korean Imperial Army soldier to be killed in battle during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Unfortunately, other Korean soldiers referenced in the article remain frustratingly obscure, with little to no available information. This is an area where historians could pick up where existing research has failed.

Had Imperial Japan won the war, figures like Park Gwan-bin and Lim Jang-su would likely be Korean national icons today, with monuments erected in their honor, buildings named after them, schoolchildren learning their stories, and their spirits venerated in national ceremonies facing Yasukuni Shrine. They would have been ubiquitous in state propaganda, enshrined as the ultimate symbols of Korean loyalty to the Empire. But in our timeline, they are nearly forgotten, their stories buried in the shadows of history, and uncovering even fragments of their lives is an immense challenge. 

One translation decision that I made in this post was to list his name as Park Gwan-bin, even though the original newspaper articles only referred to him by his Japanized name, Bokumura (朴村). While I do not have explicit evidence that his original Korean name was Park, the fact that his Japanized surname incorporates the Hanja (Chinese character) for Park (朴) makes it a strong assumption. 

Given that different newspaper reports from January 29 and January 30, 1945, list different ages and identities for Park’s family members, discrepancies likely arose due to language barriers—his rural Korean relatives may have struggled to communicate in Japanese or spoken an obscure Korean dialect unfamiliar to reporters.

Another discrepancy that I found is that one article describes that Park grew up in poverty, while another article mentions that his family is well-off. Perhaps his farming family grew wealthy only after he grew older. Alternatively, it may be that the term 'well-off' was relative to the wealth of other farming families in the area, and that, compared to other families in Korea as a whole, their family would still have been considered poor.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) January 29, 1945
Flesh and Steel—A Path Cleared by Assault
Behold, the Brilliant Military Deeds of Private First Class Park!

As the shining heroic feats of Lieutenants Matsui Hideo (松井秀雄) (Korean name In Jae-ung, 인재웅, 印在雄) and Lim Jang-su illuminate the Korean peninsula like divine eagles, so too has Private First Class Park Gwan-bin (박관빈, 朴官彬, Japanese surname Bokumura 朴村), a volunteer from the Korean peninsula, fought bravely on the Burmese front. His valiant struggle has led to the ultimate sacrifice, his noble body falling amid the grass, dyed with blood. His luminous individual citation has now been publicly announced.

The esteemed Private First Class Park hails from 84 Gobo-dong (고보동, 古堡洞), Bongsan-myeon (봉산면, 鳳山面), Wiwon County (위원군, 渭原郡), North Pyongan Province. He was among the first class of volunteers trained at the Pyongyang First Volunteer Training School. Assigned to the Itai squad, he displayed remarkable martial prowess on the pestilence-ridden, scorching front lines. In particular, during combat on the banks of the Irrawaddy River last December, he fearlessly led his squad to the forefront, pressing against the enemy position despite sustaining severe injuries. Undeterred, he clutched an anti-tank explosive to his chest and charged into the enemy fortifications spitting fire. In an instant, he obliterated the enemy's fortified machine-gun nest and, in the ensuing chaos, personally stabbed several enemy soldiers to death. His sacrifice paved the way for the advance of our forces, making him a spearhead for the protection of the Imperial nation, perishing with honor on the Burmese front.

This marks the first individual commendation awarded to a Korean volunteer. The boundless spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice displayed by Private First Class Park, whose valor could stir even the spirits of the fallen, serves as a model not only for his fellow Korean volunteers but also for the elite ranks of the Imperial Army. Just as the names of Privates First Class Lee In-seok and Lee Hyang-su (이향수, 李享洙) who stained the battlefields of Shanxi with their pure blood, shine brightly, and as Sergeant Kaneshiro Yoshiki (金城義輝) received the distinguished honor of a double-rank promotion for extraordinary military achievements, Park’s valor now shines as a bright light in the annals of the Greater East Asia War.

The 26 million people of the Korean peninsula, already filled with burning gratitude and admiration for the divine eagles and soldiers of the sky, must now deepen their resolve and elevate their will to fight. The noble soul of Private First Class Park must serve as an inspiration for all.

A Land-Based Special Attack Unit
A Manifestation of the Spirit of Sacrifice
Testimony from Chief Reporter Nagaya

The Korean peninsula, which has already brought forth the divine eagles, the Special Attack Unit members Lieutenants Matsui and Lim, whose unwavering loyalty and valor will be remembered for eternity, has once again demonstrated its martial spirit. Earlier this year, on the central China front, Privates Second Class Ōyama and Morishige fearlessly engaged in fierce combat, cutting down more than ten enemy soldiers with unrelenting force. Their remarkable bravery earned high praise from General Okamura, commander of the China Expeditionary Army. Now, the Burmese front has seen the emergence of another legend: Private First Class Park Gwan-bin, the first from the Korean peninsula to receive an individual commendation.

Private First Class Park, under the most adverse conditions, bravely pressed forward with an anti-tank explosive in his arms, destroying a heavily fortified enemy machine-gun emplacement and significantly aiding our military operations. His actions exemplify the highest spirit of sacrifice. When he realized his grave injuries would prevent him from rising again, he calmly shouted "Banzai to His Majesty the Emperor!" before embracing death with composure. This act of ultimate loyalty is the very embodiment of the warrior spirit and can be rightfully deemed the equivalent of a land-based Special Attack Unit.

At a time when the Greater East Asia War sees fierce battles against the Americans unfolding on the Philippine front and the vast expanse of China, these Korean soldiers have shattered the enemy’s ranks, demonstrating superhuman feats of courage in both air and land operations to destroy the British and the Americans. Their deeds will surely solidify the 26 million Koreans' unwavering resolve for ultimate victory.

Even now, numerous Korean soldiers fight alongside those from the homeland across land, sea, and air. Without a doubt, further exemplary military exploits will emerge. With the second round of conscription examinations currently underway across all of Korea, these young men, inspired by the shining military exploits of their predecessors, must surely feel the flames of loyalty and devotion burning deep within their hearts. Young Korean men must engrave upon their hearts that military service is the highest honor for a man and the most exalted duty of a subject of Japan. They must strive to achieve glorious military feats so as not to bring shame upon their predecessors. At the same time, they must take to heart the spirit of the young warriors who have demonstrated their resolve to the 26 million people of the peninsula. With unshakable determination, they must unite all their strength to carry out the war to its conclusion and annihilate the British and the Americans.

Graduate of the Pyongyang Second Volunteer Training School

Having fully demonstrated the essence of the Imperial Army, Private First Class Park Gwan-bin fell heroically on the Burmese front, earning an individual commendation. Born in 84 Gobo-dong-84, Bongsan-myeon, Wiwon County, North Pyongan Province, he graduated from Bongsan Elementary School. Initially engaged in farming at home, he was unable to suppress his fervent desire to become a volunteer soldier, so in 1942, he enrolled in the Pyongyang Second Army Volunteer Training School. After completing his training, he served as an assistant instructor at the same school. When he passed the rigorous second screening, he proudly stepped into the ranks of the military.

At home, his family consists of five other members including his father, Il-chan (일찬, 一賛)  (39 years old), his mother, Jik-ok (직옥, 直玉) (42 years old), his younger brother, Seong-bin (성빈, 星彬) (13 years old), his younger sister, Seon-bin (선빈, 善彬) (4 years old), and his uncle, Park Byeong-chan (병찬, 炳賛). The family is well-off, owning extensive farmland.

A Flower Always Adorned His Instructor's Desk
A Story from His Training School Days

[Pyongyang Telephone Report] Though Private First Class Park was a fearless warrior who struck terror into the hearts of the enemy, he also had a gentle side, as recently recounted in a cherished tale from his days at his training school in Pyongyang.

One day, while in training, he happened to notice that his instructor's desk held an empty vase. Finding the sight lonely, he thought, "Even in a training school, it would not be inappropriate for a vase to hold flowers." From the following morning, beautiful flowers mysteriously began appearing in the vase each day. After two or three days, the instructor, curious about the benefactor, discovered that the kind-hearted Park had been placing them there.

Beyond this anecdote, Private First Class Park worked tirelessly to improve the capabilities of Squad 38, of which he was a part, supporting the squad leader to make it a model unit within the school.

Follow This Loyal and Heroic Example!
Statement from the Chief of the Korean Federation of National Power

"At this moment, having learned that Private First Class Park has distinguished himself on the Burma front with remarkable military achievements, serving as a noble foundation for our Empire’s inevitable victory and living on in eternal righteousness, I am overwhelmed with emotion. He has been awarded a commendation from the army commander and, furthermore, has had the great honor of being reported to His Majesty.

Inspired by the eternal brilliance of the loyalty, courage, and valor of Second Lieutenants Matsui and Lim, as well as Sergeant Kanehara, we are now further moved by the unprecedented honor bestowed upon a Korean for the first time. This news is an immense source of pride for the Korean Peninsula, and we must widely extol his military achievements. At the same time, we must also remain steadfast in our sincerity, burn with an unshakable conviction in the defense of the Empire, and strive to align ourselves with the Imperial Will.

Now, as the realities of the war situation grow ever more severe, there is no room for cheap optimism. This autumn, when the entire hundred million must truly rise up and devote themselves fully to supplying the front lines, we must take to heart the spirit of Private First Class Park, who seized the enemy position in a life-or-death charge. We must renew our resolve to follow his path of loyal and heroic sacrifice."

The Deep Emotion at the Volunteer Soldier Training Center

[Pyongyang – Telephone Report] The deep emotion surrounding the heroic Private First Class Park has also spread to the Second Volunteer Soldier Training Center, where he trained. Former director Colonel Kamizumi Ryōkichi, student company commander Captain Wakamatsu Yoshinosuke, and squad leader Corporal Shiratani Masato each shared their heartfelt thoughts:

"It is truly an honor for our training center to have produced such a devoted Imperial soldier as Private First Class Park. We are simply overwhelmed with emotion. Private First Class Park was raised in a relatively wealthy household, and his parents were highly understanding people. A home that fosters such understanding naturally produces outstanding Imperial soldiers. We hope that all families will take this moment to deepen their understanding of the Imperial Army. Park was a gentle, serious man with exemplary conduct and a strong sense of responsibility. He was not only the pride of his family but also of our training center, and we cannot contain our joy."

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) January 30, 1945
The Character of Private First Class Park
A Man of Strong Willpower
Top of His Class in School

[Sinuiju Telephone Report] On the 28th, just as our spirits were still stirred by the heroic kamikaze attack of Second Lieutenant Lim Jang-su, we received news of another honor—the first-ever individual commendation for a Korean soldier, awarded to Private First Class Park Gwan-bin. All the people of the province, and indeed the entire Korean peninsula, reflected upon his brilliant military exploits and honor and resolved, with unwavering sincerity, to offer their own lives in service of the Emperor by destroying the enemy. The following is an account of Private First Class Park’s character:

Park was born in a poor farming household in Gobo-dong, Bongsan-myeon, Wiwon County, about 4.5 ri (approximately 18 kilometers) from Wiwon town. His strict father, Mr. Park Il-chan, was known as the most diligent farmer in the region. Growing up in this simple and honest environment, young Gwan-bin naturally became a quiet, gentle, and sincere individual.

By the time he graduated in March 1940 from Dongjang Public Elementary School (sixth graduating class), he had developed a strong physique and had gained a reputation as a determined young man who never gave up once he set his mind on something. He was expected to become a pillar of the village’s youth community.

Despite his family’s poverty, he studied diligently. He consistently ranked at the top of his class, astonishing those around him.

It was during this time that he resolved to enlist as a special volunteer soldier in the Imperial Army. Despite opposition from the villagers, he persisted and was finally accepted into the Pyongyang Special Volunteer Soldier Training Center in the summer of 1942. With a heart filled with excitement, he donned his training uniform and devoted himself entirely to the path of a true Imperial soldier.

He completed his training in December of that year. Afterward, he served as an assistant instructor at the Bongsan Youth Special Training Center, where he trained recruits with an unyielding spirit. He was a man of action, leading by example rather than mere words.

His courageous final act—charging into the enemy lines with explosives in hand—was the ultimate expression of his resolute will.

In a later month, he formally entered military service and gave his life in glory on the Burma front.

His surviving family members include his father Il-chan (41 years old), his mother Jik-ok (46 years old), his wife Ok-kin (24 years old), his four-year-old daughter, his younger brother’s wife, two younger sisters, and cousins—a total of nine relatives.

A Great Honor for the County
Statement from the Governor of Wiwon County

[Sinuiju – Telephone Report] Mr. Harada Keisei, the governor of Wiwon County, who had traveled to attend the Provincial Governors’ Conference on the 30th, expressed his profound emotion upon learning of the first individual commendation awarded to a Korean soldier:

"The unprecedented honor of this individual commendation is not only a supreme distinction for Private First Class Park himself but also an incomparable honor for all 40,000 residents of our county.

Previously, we had the honor of producing the late Second Lieutenant Lim, and now we have given rise to yet another heroic soldier, Private First Class Park. There is no greater pride and joy than this.

Thinking of the fact that such divine soldiers have emerged from my jurisdiction, I cannot remain still. The only way to truly repay the heroic deeds of these soldiers is to dedicate ourselves to increased wartime production.

Now is the time for all 40,000 county residents to follow in the footsteps of Private First Class Park!"

[Transcription]

京城日報 1945年1月29日
肉弾・拓く突撃路
ああ武勲燦たり朴村上等兵

半島の神鷲松井、林両少尉の偉烈燦と輝くときビルマ戦線に勇戦奮闘、壮烈草染む屍の栄光に殉じた半島出身志願兵朴村官彬上等兵に対する輝く個人感状が発表された。

誉れの朴村上等兵は平北渭原郡凰山面古堡洞八四の出身、平壌第一志願兵訓練所一期生だ。板井分隊に属して灼熱瘴癘の戦線に武功をうち樹て、とくに昨年十二月イラワジ河岸の戦闘には分隊の最先頭に立って敵陣に肉薄重傷を受けるも届せず、破甲爆雷をしっかと胸に抱き敢然として火を吐く敵陣に突入、一瞬にして敵掩蓋重機陣地を爆砕すると、共に周章狼狽の敵数名を刺殺。友軍進撃の途を拓いて壮烈ビルマ戦線に皇国護持の尖兵と散ったのである。

半島出身志願兵に対する栄の個人感状はこれが最初であり、朴村上等兵のその鬼神を哭かしむる尽忠殉国の赤誠は半島出身志願兵は勿論、皇軍精鋭の亀鑑ともいうべく、さきに山西の戦野を純血に染めた李仁錫、李享洙両上等兵をはじめ、武功抜群二階級特進の栄誉に浴した金城義輝兵長らの勲と共に大東亜戦史に燦たる光芒を放ったものである。

二千六百万はさきに神鷲、空の神兵に捧げた燃え沸ぎる感謝と感激をさらに一段と深めて戦う士気を昂揚。この朴村上等兵の芳魂に続かなければならない。

恰も陸の特攻隊
これぞ犠牲精神の発露
長屋報道部長語る

忠烈万古に薫る特攻隊員松井、林両少尉の神鷲を出し、その声価を中外に輝かした半島は今年はじめ中支戦線において敵兵十数名を刺殺し獅子奮迅の活躍をして岡村支那派遣軍司令官からいたく激賞された大山、森重二等兵をはじめ今またビルマ戦線に於いて半島出身初の個人感状の栄に輝く朴村官彬上等兵を出したことは唯々感激のほかなき次第である。特に朴村上等兵は最も困難なる状況のもと敢然身に破甲爆雷を抱き肉薄中掩蓋重機陣地を粉砕。味方の作戦を容易ならしめた行為は真に尊き犠牲精神の発露であると共に重傷の末再び起つ能わざるを知るや、天皇陛下万歳を唱え従容死につく。これ一死以て国に報ゆる尽忠精神のあらわれにして真に軍人精神の亀鑑であり陸の特攻隊というべきである。

今や大東亜戦争は比島戦線をはじめ支那大陸、熾烈な日米決戦が展開されているとき、これら半島出身兵が空に陸に体当たりを以て米英撃滅に鬼神を哭かしむる武勲を樹てたことは半島二千六百万をして勝ち抜く決意を一層新たにしたことであろう。

現在尚多くの半島出身兵が陸、海、空に内地出身兵と共に活躍中であるが、必ずや赫々たる武勲が続々と現れることを確信している。いま全鮮に亘り第二回目の徴兵検査が実施されているが、これらの若き壮丁は武勲輝く先輩の忠烈に対し胸奥深く尽忠の焰を燃えたぎらせていることであろう。

兵役は男子最高の名誉であり、日本臣民として崇高な義務であることを銘肝し先輩の名を恥かしめないよう立派な手柄を樹てることを切望すると同時に半島二千六百万に対し身を以て示した若き勇士の心を心として米英撃滅に向って飽くまで戦争遂行に総力を結集することを望んで止まない。

平壌第二志願訓練所の出身

皇軍の真髄を発揮しビルマ戦線で壮烈な戦死を遂げ個人感状授与に輝く朴村官彬上等兵は平北道渭原郡凰山面古堡洞八四に生れ凰山国民学校を卒業。一時家庭にあって農事にいそしんでいたが志願兵への熱望おさえがたく昭和十七年平壌の第二陸軍志願者訓練所に入所訓練終了後、同訓練所の助手として勤務しているうち第二次銓衡に見事合格、勇躍晴れの軍門を潜ったのである。

家庭には父一賛氏（39）、母直玉さん（42）、弟星彬君（13）、妹善彬さん（４つ）に叔父の炳賛氏の五人がおり、大農家である。

教官の机上、常に花あり
床しい訓練所時代の挿話

【平壌電話】敵陣に向っては鬼をもひしぐ勇猛果敢な朴村上等兵の優しい一面を物語る『朴村生徒の花』の逸話が、いま新たに平壌の予備訓練所で語られている。

訓練所入所中の或日、朴村生徒はふと教官の机上をみた。そこには花瓶あれど花なし、淋しさであった。訓練所とはいえ花瓶に花の風情はあっても差支えなかろう、と考えた。

恰度その翌日から毎朝その花瓶に美しい花が挿されるようになった。二日、三日は教官も黙していたが、毎日続く『花』に一体誰が挿してくれるのか、と不審に思い花の主をさがしたところ、朴村生徒の優しい心尽くしであることが判った。このほか朴村上等兵は当時編入していた三十八班の素質の向上を考え班長と共に尽力し同訓練所でも模範的な班に仕上げた功績も残している。

この忠烈に続け！
韓聯盟総長談

只今ビルマ戦線において赫々たる武勲を樹てて皇国必勝の尊い礎として悠久の大義に生きた朴村上等兵に対し、軍司令官より感状を授与せられ更に畏くも上聞に達せられたる光栄に浴したことを知り心からなる感激に咽んでいる次第であります。

裏に松井、林両少尉並に金原軍曹の萬世に輝く忠勇義烈に感動した我等は今又半島人としてこの最初の無上の光栄に浴したる報道に接したことは半島にとって絶大なる誇りとしてその武功を大いに宣揚すべきであると共に我等又至誠一貫、皇国護持の大信念に燃え、大御心に副い奉らねばなりません。

今や戦局の現実は愈々深刻となり安価なる楽観を許さず一億真に奮起、戦線への補給に最善をつくさなければならぬこの秋、我等は決死敵陣を占領した朴村上等兵の心を心として忠烈に続く決意を新にしなければなりません。

志願兵訓練所の感激

【平壌電話】神兵朴村官彬上等兵を出した当時の第二志願兵訓練所所長上住良吉大佐、生徒隊長若松吉之助大尉、区隊長白谷正人伍長は訓練所の名誉でもあるとそれぞれ次の如く感激談を語った。

わが訓練所から朴村上等兵の如き尽忠に燃える皇兵を出したことは実に有難い。只々感激している次第である。朴村上等兵は相当裕福な家庭に育ち両親が非常に理解ある人でした。理解ある家庭を持つことがかかる立派な皇兵を生み出すものと思う。

一般の家庭もこの際皇軍に対する理解を深めて貰いたい。朴村上等兵は日頃柔順で真面目、品行方正で責任感の強い男でした。本人はもとより一家一門の誉れであるが、わが訓練所としても喜びに堪えない。

京城日報 1945年1月30日

朴村上等兵：人となりの記
強い実行力
学校は首席で押通す

【新義州電話】神風特攻隊林長守少尉の壮烈なる体当たりに我ら神風魂に決戦の新なる決意と感激まだ醒めやらぬ二十八日、又も朴村官彬上等兵（渭原郡凰山面古堡洞出身）に対する半島初の個人感状授与と殊勲上聞の栄誉をきく全道民はもちろん半島民衆はその輝かしい武勲と栄誉を偲ぶと共にただただ滅敵の一死奉公の誠を固く誓った。以下は朴村上等兵の人となりの記である。

この朴村上等兵は渭原邑内から約四里半も離れた凰山面古堡洞の貧しい農家に生れた。厳父一賛氏はこの地方切っての精農家で純朴な生活環境は少年官彬をそのまま無口で温厚篤実なものへと育み上げて行った。

昭和十五年三月東場公立国民学校（第六期生）を修了する頃には頑丈な体格と何かやり出せば最後までやり通す頼もしい青年となって部落の中堅青年として嘱望されていた。貧しい家庭の中にあってよく勉強し、学校ではいつも首席を占めては人々の舌を巻いたのもこの少年であった。

陸軍特別志願兵へと志願したのもこの頃で、村の人々の反対を押し切って到頭昭和十七年の夏、平壌特別志願兵訓練所に入所訓練服に胸躍らせつつ只管神兵への道にいそしんだ。

同所を同年十二月に修了。その後凰山青年特別錬成所に指導員の助手として元気で訓練生と共に血の出るような訓練生活を重ねた。常に口でいうよりも自分が身をもって実戦して行った爆雷を抱いて敵陣に突撃した壮烈な魂もこの身を以て挺身した実行力にあった。

〇〇月に晴れて入営ビルマ戦線に護国の華を散ったものである。なお遺族には父一賛氏（41）、母直玉さん（46）、妻玉キンさん（24）、長女（４つ）、弟の妻、妹二人に従兄弟など九名がいる。

郡の名誉
渭原郡守談

【新義州電話】三十日開かれる府尹郡守会議に出席のため上道した渭原郡守原田桂成氏は朴村上等兵の半島人初の個人感状授与の知らせを知って左の如く感激談をなした。

半島初の個人感状授与の破格の名誉は本人のみならず四万郡民のこの上もない名誉である。さきに故林少尉を出し又も朴村上等兵を出したことはこの上もない誇りであり喜びだ。これは自分の管内に神兵を出したと思うとじっとしていられない感じた。

この感激を増産につぎ込むことこそ神兵の武勲に応える唯一の道である。今こそ四万郡民は朴村上等兵に続くべきだ。

Source: 키워드 검색 - 신문 검색 - 대한민국 신문 아카이브

Matsui Hideo (松井秀雄) (Korean Name: In Jae-ung)

• Age at Death: 20 years and 6 months
• Place of Death: Leyte Bay, Philippines
• Date of Death: November 29, 1944
• Place of Origin: Korean Peninsula
• Military Rank: Army Corporal
• Training: 13th Class of Youth Aviation Cadets
• Unit: Army Special Attack Unit, Member of the Yasukuni Unit
• Aircraft: Type 1 Fighter "Hayabusa"
• Cause of Death: Killed in Action

Early Life

Matsui Hideo, originally named In Jae-ung (인재웅, 印在雄), was born on May 3, 1924, as the second son of a businessman. He had two younger sisters. At the age of 12, he moved to Kaesong with his mother and sisters. He attended Kaesong Public Commercial School before volunteering as a youth aviation cadet in the Imperial Japanese Army, where he became a pilot of the "Hayabusa" fighter aircraft.

Military Service and Death

On November 29, 1944, as a member of the Army Special Attack Unit (Kamikaze) known as the Yasukuni Unit, he launched his final sortie in a Type 1 Fighter "Hayabusa" and perished in Leyte Bay, Philippines.

His death was widely publicized in a local Korean newspaper, which printed a headline in Hangul reading, "A Yasukuni Divine Eagle from the Peninsula." His story was used to bolster wartime morale among the Korean population. Following his death, at least 16 other young Korean men are known to have perished in similar special attack missions.

Postwar Controversy

A longstanding rumor suggested that In Jae-ung had survived as a prisoner of war and later returned to the Korean Peninsula after the war. However, his surviving sisters have denied these claims. Furthermore, no records of him have been found in U.S. military prisoner records.

Source: Translated from NHK Archives 特攻＞特攻隊員4000人の記憶＞陸軍靖国隊　印　在雄さん｜戦争｜NHKアーカイブス

Imperial Japanese cartoon from 1943 shows how Koreans were forced to bow to the Emperor every morning, speak Japanese, and accept poverty without complaints

This 1943 propaganda cartoon depicts an idealized portrait of life as model Korean subjects under Imperial Japanese rule. It shows a soldier reading a letter from his mother written in Japanese in Katakana, mother and child making their daily mandatory morning bow towards the Imperial palace, a "cheerful village that does not complain", two older Korean women speaking Japanese with joy, and a Korean mother sitting with her son reading a war propaganda story about a fighter pilot.

The translated text is as follows.

Frame 1: 母の手紙はカタカナばかり
Translation: "Mother's letter is written entirely in Katakana."
Context: The scene depicts a young soldier holding a letter and thinking of his mother. The fact that the letter is written only in Katakana suggests that his Korean mother is not fully literate in Japanese. 

Frame 2: 東に向かって朝の遥拝
Translation: "Morning worship facing east."
Context: This frame depicts Koreans performing 宮城遥拝 (Kyūjō Yōhai), the mandatory daily bowing towards the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. This ritual, imposed at 7 AM each morning with loud sirens, was meant to instill loyalty to the Japanese Emperor. It was part of the larger effort to erase Korean identity and enforce subjugation through cultural and religious indoctrination. 

Frame 3: 不平を言わない明るい部落 （平和里入口）
Translation: "A cheerful village that does not complain." (Peaceful Village Entrance)
Context: The “cheerful village” was often, in reality, a buraku—a shantytown where Koreans were often forced to live under poor conditions. By claiming that the village “does not complain,” the cartoon sends an overt message of compliance and submission, discouraging any dissatisfaction with their hardship. The name 平和里 (Peace Village) is deeply ironic, as these settlements were known for their substandard housing, lack of infrastructure, and poverty. The propaganda intent here is clear: to depict forced displacement as harmonious and orderly.

Frame 4: 下手でも国語で話す嬉しさ （あれあれ、あれがねえ～）
Translation: "The joy of speaking Japanese, even if spoken poorly." ("Well, well, that is…")
Context: This frame encourages Koreans to speak Japanese, reinforcing the Imperial policy of 国語常用 (Kokugo Jōyō), or mandatory use of the national language. Speaking Japanese was a requirement in schools, workplaces, and public life, with the use of Korean strongly discouraged or punished. The forced language shift was part of Japan’s broader assimilation campaign.

Frame 5: 本が読めて良いお母さん （荒鷲の勇ましいお話です）
Translation: "A good mother who can read books." ("This is a valiant story about an Arawashi fighter pilot")
Context: This frame glorifies military propaganda, depicting a mother sitting in front of her son and reading a story about 荒鷲 (Arawashi), or Wild Eagle, a reference to Imperial Japan’s fighter planes.  The scene emphasizes the idealized role of a “good mother” as someone who educates her children with militaristic narratives, preparing the next generation to be loyal to Imperial Japan. 

The アイウエオ行進曲 cartoon strip was part of a larger four-page supplement published in the November 18, 1943 issue of Maeil Sinbo (매일신보 / 每日申報), the last remaining Korean-language newspaper during the Imperial Japanese colonial period. By 1940, all other Korean-language publications had been shut down, and Maeil Sinbo, under strict Japanese control as a tool for Imperial propaganda, became the last operational Korean-language newspaper in Korea.

This supplement was written in basic Japanese, primarily using Hiragana and Katakana, to make it accessible to Koreans with limited Japanese literacy. But it was not just a language learning aid - it also doubled as a war propaganda medium.

One of the most telling features of this supplement was its vocabulary column, which defined common Japanese words for Korean readers. This particular edition introduced words that started with い in Japanese, such as ‘house’ (家) and ‘dog’ (犬), making it appear like a simple educational tool. However, the section entitled「復習、国語の近道」(Review: The Shortcut to the Japanese language) reveals the true intent behind the supplement.

At first glance, this section provides simple definitions of Japanese words in Korean, such as:

• 今月 (kongetsu) - This month
• 二十日 (hatsuka) - The 20th day

However, when these vocabulary words are strung together in context, they form a war propaganda sentence:

"卒業生もできるそうですね。今年職についてなるべく特別志願兵制。今月二十日迷ってる、間に合わない。"
("It seems that even graduates can do it. This year, as much as possible, join the special volunteer soldier system. If you hesitate past the 20th of this month, it will be too late.")

This sentence was a direct push for young Koreans to volunteer for the Imperial Japanese Army, reinforcing the recruitment drive for Korean soldiers under the 特別志願兵制度 (Special Volunteer Soldier System). This “voluntary” system was anything but voluntary—Koreans were heavily pressured, and by 1944, forced conscription was officially enacted.

Lim Jangsu (림장수, 林長守) was a Korean Kamikaze pilot who died in a suicide attack on US navy vessels in the Philippines on Dec. 7, 1944; he was from Yeomju-eup near Sinuiju

These two Imperial propaganda news articles from January 1945 cover an ethnic Korean kamikaze pilot, Lim Jangsu (林長守), who died in a suicide attack on December 7, 1944, during the Battle of Ormoc Bay in the Philippines. His suicidal assault helped destroy either the USS Ward or USS Lamson, but despite his prominent glorification in wartime media, his name has all but disappeared from history. Access to these news articles became possible only recently with the opening up of the digital newspaper archives of the National Library of Korea.

Lim Jangsu

Jangsu and sixteen other kamikaze pilots were plastered across the front page of the Keijo Nippo on January 25, 1945, the largest newspaper in colonial Korea. Imperial Japan was desperately seeking to manipulate and rally the colonized Korean population to cope with imminent military defeat. Their strategy? Elevating a Korean suicide pilot into a martyr. Whereas the spirit of Isoroku Yamamoto was being promoted in 1943, by 1945, the "Jangsu spirit" was being pushed instead.

Lim Jangsu in the center

Jangsu hailed from Namsi-eup, which is now called Yeomju-eup, a small township a few kilometers east of Sinuiju, in present-day North Korea. His family, including his three younger brothers—one of whom was a provincial police officer—was thrust into the spectacle of wartime Imperial Japanese propaganda. One of the articles describes his parents watching their son's final moments immortalized on film in a Sinuiju theater, overcome with tears as they beheld his image on the silver screen.

Yet, for all this propaganda, why is his name nowhere to be found online? His existence is not even mentioned in Wikipedia or Namu Wiki. Indeed, currently on Reddit, one post about Korean Kamikaze pilots says that the first Korean to die in a Kamikaze attack was Park Dong-hun (Okawa Masaaki) on March 29, 1945.

This story forces us to confront unsettling questions about Korea's place in Imperial Japan’s war machine and how colonial subjects were manipulated, used, and then discarded.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) January 15, 1945

Earnest Cry of 'Oh, Jangsu!'

Sergeant Lim's Parents Shed Tears of Joy in a Silver Screen Reunion

[Sinuiju telephone report] The second 'Divine Eagle' born on the peninsula, Sergeant Lim Jangsu (림장수, 林長守), and his strict father, Mr. Lim Chunhui (림춘희, 林春煕), experienced a miraculous reunion on the silver screen. Upon seeing the lifelike image of the 'Divine Eagle,' they gasped, 'Ah, it is Jangsu!' Overcome with tears, the entire family gathered to remember the heroic deeds of their departed son in this touching home-front episode.

The 238th installment of Japan News, featuring the Kamikaze Special Attack Unit’s Imperial loyalty Squadron in action, is currently being shown at the World Theater in the city. Upon hearing from others that their son, Sergeant Lim Jangsu, appeared in the film, his father, Chunhui, along with his mother, Dae-nyeo (대녀, 大女), traveled all the way from their home in Namsi (남시, 南市) to Sinuiju on the night of January 11th, their hearts pounding with hope—'perhaps we will see Jangsu…' With bated breath, the couple fixed their eyes on the screen. The film seamlessly portrayed the warriors of the special attack unit, calm and composed, just before their sortie.

One by one, two, three—'Ah, it is Jangsu!' Sergeant Lim, with his tall stature and strong, well-defined features, dominated the screen. Even his mother, Dae-nyeo, who had not shed a tear upon hearing of her beloved son’s self-sacrificing attack, could not hold back this time, as tears gently fell from her eyes—tears of joy. One after another, the Divine Eagle aircraft of the Imperial Loyalty Squadron plunged into the skies over Leyte in their ultimate act of devotion. The couple remained in their seats, unable to look away, deeply moved by the scene before them.

On January 13th, the film was screened in the provincial government conference room. Among the attendees was Sergeant Lim Jangsu’s younger brother, Lim Dalsu (림달수, 林達守) who was employed at the provincial police department. Thanks to the thoughtful consideration of his superior, he was given the opportunity to watch the film. Overjoyed at the sight of his brother on screen, he was filled with excitement and declared with firm resolve, 'I will surely follow in the footsteps of the Special Attack Unit!' Thus, the Divine Eagle film became a powerful and deeply moving topic on the home front."

[Photo: In the center stands Sergeant Lim Jangsu before his attack]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) January 25, 1945

Carrying on Jangsu's Spirit in Old Age

Parents of Newly Promoted Second Lieutenant Lim Moved to Tears

[Sinuiju telephone report] With a single aircraft, he brought down an enemy warship—Sergeant Lim Jangsu, the Divine Eagle of the Korean peninsula, achieved a fearless and precise strike ramming attack. His valorous feat, along with the distinguished achievements of the entire Loyalty Squadron, was recognized with a commendation from the highest commander of the Southern Front. Furthermore, word has now arrived that this honor has reached the highest levels of the Imperial court, resulting in his posthumous promotion to Second Lieutenant and the awarding of the Fourth-Class Order of Merit and the Sixth-Class Order of the Rising Sun.

At the family home of the late Second Lieutenant Lim in Namsi, his strict father, Chunhui, was moved to tears by the boundless and immeasurable grace of the Emperor. Overcome with emotion, he declared, 'I must dedicate myself entirely to the spirit of the Special Attack Unit, breaking my body and bones if necessary, to repay even one ten-thousandth of the Imperial favor.'

Overwhelmed by emotion, he continued: "The immense grace of His Majesty is beyond words—I am overwhelmed with both awe and gratitude. There is no greater honor for our family. As I am still capable of working, I will push my aging body to its limits, dedicating myself fully to carrying on Jangsu’s spirit. With whatever strength I have, I will devote myself to home-front service, however small my contribution may be, in the effort to strike down the American and British forces. My only concern is how I can ever repay even one ten-thousandth of the Imperial favor."

Likewise, the late Second Lieutenant Lim’s mother, Dang Daenyeo (당대녀, 堂大女), also tearfully expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the sacred honor, saying: "Fortunately, Jangsu has three younger brothers. We will raise them to be as strong in spirit as their late brother, and we are prepared to dedicate them to the nation as well." [Photo: Second Lieutenant Lim]

[Transcription]

京城日報 1945年1月15日

真面目に”おお長守！”

林伍長の両親嬉しい涙の銀幕対面

【新義州電話】半島が生んだ第二の神鷲林伍長と厳父林春煕氏が奇しき銀幕対面に『あっ、長守だ』と生けるが如き神鷲の姿に感涙にむせび、一家を挙げて故人の壮挙を偲んだ銃後の挿話がある。

日本ニュース第二三八号神風特攻隊勤皇隊出撃映画は府内世界館で上映中であり、林伍長の姿が出ると人づてに聞いた父親春煕氏は母親大女さんと共に十一日夜、南市の自宅から遥々来義した若しや長守に会えれば．．．と胸轟かせて夫婦は画面に見入った。出撃を前に悠然落ち着いた特攻隊勇士等の姿を画面は流れるように再現する。

一人、二人、三人『あっ、長守だ』脊高く線の太い特徴ある林伍長の姿が銀幕を圧して映し出される。愛息の体当たりを聞いても涙だつ見せなかった母親大女さんもこの時はホロリと涙した。嬉しい涙一一機又一機レイテの空に突っ込む勤皇隊神鷲機の尽忠の姿にいつ迄も夫妻は席を離れなかった。

十三日には道庁会議室で上映され、ここには林伍長の次弟林達守君（道警察部勤務）がおり、上司の情あるはからいで観覧したが兄の姿に狂喜して喜び『必ず特攻隊に続きます』と決意をもらし、かくして神鷲映画は銃後に大きな感激の話題を盛った。

【写真＝中央が出撃前の神鷲林長守伍長】

京城日報 1945年1月25日

老骨に長守精神を

特進に感涙、林少尉の両親

【新義州電話】一機もって一艦をよくぞ屠った半島の神鷲林長守伍長の必死必中の体当たり武勲は、勤皇隊全員の偉勲と共に南方方面最高指揮官より感状を授与され、いままた畏くも上聞に達し、少尉に特進、功四旭六の恩命に浴したという報に接した南市の故林少尉の生家では、厳父春煕氏は皇恩の鴻大無辺さに感泣『粉骨砕身、特攻精神に徹し皇恩の万分の一にでも報い奉らねば』と感激を語った。

「皇恩の鴻大なることひたすら恐懼感激に堪えません。家門の名誉またこれに過ぐるものはありません。私は未だ働き得る身でありますから、老骨に鞭打って粉骨砕身長守の精神を受け継いで米英撃摧に微力ながら銃後奉公に邁進する覚悟であります。如何にして皇恩の万分の一にでも報い得るかが心配であります」

なお故林少尉の母堂大女さんも聖恩の忝きに感泣しながら、

『幸いに長守も弟が三名おりますから、兄に負けないように精神を錬成してお国に捧げる覚悟であります』と語った。【写真＝林少尉】

Source: 키워드 검색 - 신문 검색 - 대한민국 신문 아카이브

‘Selfless’ Imperial Japanese policeman visits pregnant Korean mother daily and delivers her baby after forcing her husband into Imperial war service: a 1945 ‘heartwarming’ propaganda tale

In the waning days of Japanese colonial rule in January 1945, a propaganda article was published in the Keijo Nippo newspaper in Seoul, Korea retelling what appears on the surface to be a heartwarming story of selfless generosity. A Japanese police officer Korea went above and beyond to help Mrs. Ryōko Hirata, a heavily pregnant Korean mother, after her husband was conscripted into the Imperial war effort. The officer was the one to hand the conscription order to her husband. After the reluctant husband was sent away, the officer reportedly visited Ryōko daily, provided money, arranged for medicine and a midwife, and even helped deliver her baby. It is presented as a tale of compassion and duty.

Original caption: Officer Okamoto with the joyful Hirata family

But was it truly altruism? Or did the officer have ulterior motives? While the article paints a rosy picture, a more critical examination of the narrative suggests that maybe this is not the entire story. The mother is later expected to "work" once she recovers. Why? How exactly was she supposed to "repay" the officer’s kindness? This raises uncomfortable questions: Was the officer creating a sense of indebtedness to manipulate her? If there was a romantic interest involved, his actions could have been aimed at building a more intimate relationship with Ryōko, more akin to grooming behavior.

Another disturbing aspect is from the perspective of Ryōko’s husband. Deployed on mandatory Imperial war service, he may have been deeply uneasy about a Japanese officer becoming so intimate with his wife in his absence. Yet he had no choice but to put on a brave face. In a humiliating show of forced gratitude, he referred to the officer as his family’s "guardian god" in his letters—an acknowledgment likely born of necessity rather than true sentiment.

Furthermore, it is important to consider the role of Imperial police officers during this era. These were influential figures who not only enforced colonial law but also worked closely with the Imperial Army and local patriotic groups (neighborhood cells). Police officers often wielded significant power over local communities, including decisions on conscription. It is entirely plausible that this officer played a role in determining who received conscription orders and may have ensured that Mr. Hirata was drafted—potentially setting the stage for his narrative of "saving" the Hirata family in the husband’s absence.

In Imperial Japan, there were different types of conscription orders differentiated by the color of the paper that they were printed on: red (赤紙, Akagami), white (白紙, Hakushi), blue (青紙, Aogami), and also pink paper (紅紙, Kōgami).

White Paper conscription was used for "educational conscription" and training-related activities, such as "教育召集" (educational conscription), "演習召集" (training mobilization), and "簡閲点呼" (roll-call inspection). Red and pink papers were generally used for calling people into active military service, and blue papers were used for short-term homeland defense, particularly against events like air raids.

Given that Mr. Hirata was a married father with children, he may have been issued a red, pink, or blue paper on this particular occasion. The issuing of these orders was a way to manage the different needs and urgencies of military and homeland activities during the war period.

We can safely assume that the Hirata family was ethnic Korean, as another propaganda article from 1943 featured a model Korean family from the same neighborhood, Sungin-dong, and Ryōko appears to be wearing Hanbok in the news photo. The police officer in question, Officer Okamoto, is described as hailing from Kagoshima Prefecture, so he is ethnic Japanese.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) January 10, 1945

On Days Off, Officers Dedicate Themselves to Welfare Visits

Two Policemen Protect the Families of Conscripted Warriors

"Maintaining public order is not the sole duty of a police officer." This is the story of a policeman who steadfastly supported the family of a conscripted warrior, ensuring that a heavily pregnant wife on the verge of homelessness received proper care, including medicine and medical attention, and safely delivered her child. It is also the story of another policeman who, despite his modest salary, set aside part of his income each month to provide living expenses for conscripted families. These two heartwarming episodes of compassion and unity between police and citizens shine as inspirational examples of humanity and courage to mark a bright and resolute start to the New Year.

Officer Yoshiaki Okamoto, originally from Kagoshima and stationed at the Dongmyo Police Substation under the Dongdaemun Precinct in Seoul, visited the home of Mr. Takemitsu Hirata in Sungin-dong, Dongdaemun District, one bitterly cold evening in December of last year. He carried with him an official conscription deployment order.

Upon receiving the conscription deployment order, Mr. Hirata was taken aback and turned to look at his wife. His wife, Ryōko, was in the final month of her pregnancy and could give birth at any moment, whether that day or the next. Desperate, Mr. Hirata pleaded with Officer Okamoto, asking if there was any way his departure could be postponed until after the child was born. Officer Okamoto was troubled by the request but knew that a supreme national mandate could not be swayed by personal circumstances.

Thus, Mr. Hirata, unable to wait for his child to be born, resolved himself and left for his conscription duty. At that moment, Officer Okamoto firmly vowed in his heart, "Alright, I will take full responsibility for what comes next." From that day forward, he visited the Hirata household daily, attending to various needs. Additionally, he gave her an envelope of money, instructing her to use it for childbirth expenses.

Upon learning of the situation, Mr. Motoki Matsue, the neighborhood leader of the sixth patriotic group, also stepped in. Declaring, "It is the duty of our patriotic group to protect the families of conscripted warriors," he contributed 50 yen. Together with Officer Okamoto, he worked tirelessly, arranging for medicine and a midwife, their efforts marked by heartfelt determination.

Thus, Ryōko, despite feeling the loneliness of a home without her husband, safely delivered her child amidst an outpouring of kindness that brought her to tears. The baby, born healthy, welcomed the New Year in good health.

Officer Okamoto was not only known for his recent acts of kindness. In the past, he had selflessly taken a penniless blind man to Seoul Imperial University Hospital at his own expense, where he arranged ten days of treatment for him. For this compassionate act, he was commended by Chief Ushijima of the Dongdaemun Precinct. When Officer Okamoto received his year-end bonus, he chose not to celebrate solely for himself. Instead, he decided to share the joy of the New Year with thirteen families of conscripted soldiers within his jurisdiction who faced the holiday without their loved ones. To these families, he sent heartfelt year-end gifts filled with warmth and care.

Ryōko Hirata said, "When my husband left, I felt a deep sense of loneliness and wondered how we would manage. However, thanks to Officer Okamoto’s many acts of kindness, my child was born safely. I informed my husband of everything, and he replied, 'Officer Okamoto is a living guardian god for our family. Please express my heartfelt gratitude to him. I will work with all my might to repay this debt of gratitude, but you must not rely too much on his kindness. As soon as you recover, work to repay his generosity as well.' Now that I have recovered, I am ready to take on any work," she said, her voice trembling and filled with tears.

[Photo caption: Officer Okamoto with the joyful Hirata family.]

Similarly, Officer Shigeru Yamaguchi, also stationed at the Dongmyo Substation and originally from Wakayama Prefecture, took it upon himself to assess the living conditions of conscripted warriors’ families. During his visits, he discovered that the wife of Mr. Yoshimichi Niraku, living at 52-7 Sungin-dong in Dongdaemun District, was struggling to support four children in a rented home and could not even afford rice. Moved by their plight, Officer Yamaguchi secretly began sending monthly financial support to the family. On his days off, he made it a point to visit and provide further assistance. Working together with the aforementioned Officer Okamoto, they encouraged each other and alternated visits to the family every two days.

When Precinct Chief Ushijima learned of these acts, he was overjoyed, saying, "You have done a remarkable job. I wholeheartedly commend your efforts and have also given a small monetary reward as an example for others to follow."

[Transcription]

京城日報 1945年1月10日

非番の日は必ず慰問

応徴士の家族を護る二警官

『治安維持だけが警察官の務めではない』臨月の腹をかかえ路頭に迷わんとする応徴士の家族をしっかと護り、薬よ、医者よと世話をし、健やかにお産をさせたお巡りさん。同じく少ない俸給を割いて毎月応徴家族に生活費を贈っているお巡りさん。これは『明朗敢闘』の新春を飾る警民一体の人情佳話二篇。

府内東大門署東廟派出所勤務の岡元良秋警官（鹿児島出身）が徴用出動令書を持って東大門区崇仁町平田武光君の家を訪れたのは旧臘十二月寒さのきびしい或る夕方だった。

令書を手にした平田君ははっとして妻をかえり見た。それは妻女良子さんが臨月できょう生れるか明日産むかのときであったからだ。そこで平田君はなんとか子供が生れた後に行くように延期は出来ないものかと頼んだ。岡元警官は返事に困ったが、国家の至上命令は私ことで左右さるべきでない。

かくて平田君は子供の生れるのも待たず意を決して立って征った。その時岡元警官は「よしっ、後は必ず引受けるぞ」と心に固く誓い、それから毎日此家を訪れては何かと世話し、またお産の時に使って呉れと金一封を贈った。

このときこれを知った同組六班長の松江元揆さんも『応徴士を護るのは愛国班の務めだ』と五十円を贈り、岡元警察官と心を合せ薬よ産婆さんよと涙ぐましい世話をした。

かくして良子さんは夫なき淋しい家ながら人の情にむせび泣きつつ目出度く安産をした。そしてその子は健やかに正月を迎えたのである。

この岡元警官はそればかりでなく前にはビタ一文持たぬ盲を自費で城大に連れて行き十日も治療を施し牛島東大門署長に表彰を受けた奇特な人であるが、年末の賞与を貰ったときは自分ばかりが喜ぶより主なき正月を迎える応徴家族にも共に正月の祝いをしようと受持管内にある十三軒に温かい心のこもるお歳暮を贈った。平田良子は、

夫が行くときはほんとうにどうなるのかと心淋しく思っていましたが、岡元さんから色々世話して戴き、このように子供も無事に生れ、このことを主人に知らせました處、主人から『岡元さんは我が家の生き神様だ。お前からお礼を申上げて呉れ。私も命がけで働いて御恩返しをするつもりだが、お前も余り温情にあまえずに体がよくなり次第働いて御恩返しをしろ』と言って来ました。私ももうよくなりましたから、どんな仕事でもやりますと、涙にむせびうるんだ声で語るのだった。【写真＝岡元警官と喜ぶ平田一家】

◇．．．同じく東廟派出所勤務の山口茂警官（和歌山県）は応徴家族の生計状況を見て廻ったが、そのうち東大門区崇仁町五二の七、二樂喜道君の妻女が四人の子供をかかえ間借りのうえに米代すらないのを知り、人には秘して毎月生活費を贈り、非番の日には必ず慰問して廻ろうと前記岡元警官と励まし合って二日おきに見舞っている。この話を聞いた牛島署長も我がことのように喜び、『よくやって呉れたと、私は心からほめてやり、他の範にすべて金一封を贈りました』と語っている。

Source: 키워드 검색 - 신문 검색 - 대한민국 신문 아카이브

Pro-Japanese Korean colonel (신태영)’s full 1943 speech offering Koreans redemption from their “shame” inherited from ancestors who made them “like cats and dogs” that seek safety and parental attachments over national duty, giving them a chance to volunteer in the Imperial Army

Throughout 1943 in colonial Korea, the main national newspaper of the country, Keijo Nippo (Gyeongseong Ilbo), was filled with war propaganda encouraging young Korean men to enlist in the Imperial Japanese military to fight Britain and America in the Pacific War. This article is just one of many such pieces of wartime propaganda published in 1943, but this speech particularly stands out in that it was written by a prominent pro-Japanese ethnic Korean military official (Colonel Shin Tae-young, aka Hirayama), and it contains a lot of self-hating, explicit language demeaning Korea and Koreans while encouraging young Koreans to become Japanese and volunteer to fight for Imperial Japan. 

Lieutenant Colonel Shin Tae-young, aka Hirayama

Hirayama had a long, distinguished in the Imperial Army which started around 1909 and lasted throughout the entire period of the Imperial Japanese colonization of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Interestingly, he went on to become Lieutenant General in the South Korean Army and Minister of National Defense of South Korea in 1952 and was eventually buried with honors in the Seoul National Cemetery, which is a heated point of controversy, as many Koreans believe that he was a traitor who does not deserve to be honored as a Korean national hero. I shared the first part of his memoir in a previous post. This is the second part of his memoir, which was published on November 18, 1943, the day after the first part was published.

Hirayama's rant can be a tedious read, but let's hone in particularly on what he says about Koreans. Hirayama accuses Koreans of being complacent and indifferent like spectators toward the war, being hypocritical for demanding more political rights but evading their responsibilities by making excuses for not enlisting, neglecting national duty, and cultivating a servile and selfish mindset. He blames these transgressions on the shame that Koreans supposedly inherited from their ancestors: a culture with a "soft, scholarly lifestyle" that places family above nation, a parental attachment to their children that is so strong it amounts to "animalistic love", and a concern with safety that amounts to "becoming like a dog or a cat".

Hirayama weaves in some Korean history by mentioning the Qing invasion of Joseon of 1636-1637 and bringing up obscure historical figures from that event such as Jeong Gwang-gyeong, Yun Jip, and Kim Ryu as examples of corrupt Korean officials who were dishonorable and shameless, as if to imply that modern Koreans inherited their national shame from ancestors like these figures.

Hirayama then offers Koreans a way to redeem themselves and free themselves of this inherited ancestral shame: by volunteering and enlisting in the Imperial Japanese Military, which would instill in them the Japanese spirit and discipline and fully transform them into loyal, pure Japanese people, thereby achieving true Japanese-Korean unification. 

Hirayama then makes some threats against Koreans in his rant. He says, "Koreans must realize that their own actions have always led to the downfall of Korea", as if to preemptively blame the Koreans for the defeat of Imperial Japan, if it happens. Towards the end of the rant, he warns that, if any Korean student has to be forcibly conscripted because he didn't volunteer, then the honor of Koreans will be completely tarnished. Thus, Koreans are supposedly collectively responsible for their actions as a group, rather than as individuals, so if any Korean fails to volunteer, then all Koreans have to suffer the consequences of the loss of honor because of that one Korean individual's treacherous actions.

Hirayama denies being bribed by authorities or requested by the Imperial military to publish this speech, but his decades-long career with the Imperial Army and prominent rank seem to indicate that he has already received many favors from the colonial authorities and the Imperial Army for his many years of collaboration.

It's especially striking how dark and ominous the tone of Part 2 is compared to Part 1, which has more of a personal, heartfelt tone. It's also interesting that Hirayama identifies himself more as a Korean in Part 2, and identifies himself more as a Japanese in Part 1. The two parts of the memoir seem to depict a complex man with many inner contradictions and conflicts, straddling and attempting to reconcile two different cultures and ethnicities: Korean and Japanese.

Note: "Yamato people" refers to ethnic Japanese people throughout the memoir.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) November 18, 1943

The Future of Korea Depends on the Students (Part 2)

Memoir by Imperial Army Lieutenant Colonel Hirayama Hoei, an ethnic Korean

Decide Without Hesitation!

The only way forward is to become loyal and good Imperial subjects

As the Manchurian Incident evolved into the China Incident, the sincerity of Korean patriotism was recognized. As a prerequisite for the implementation of the conscription system in Korea, the special volunteer soldier system was introduced, and many volunteers have already participated in actual combat. These special volunteers have demonstrated their true value as members of the Imperial Army, proving themselves equal to the pure Yamato (Japanese) people. As the Greater East Asia War progresses, the number of volunteers has dramatically increased each year. The patriotism of the Korean people as a whole has reached its peak. As a result, the long-standing desire of Koreans for the implementation of the conscription system has been realized with the promulgation of the relevant laws in the midst of the Greater East Asia War. This system is scheduled to be implemented starting next year, with compulsory education set to commence in 1946.

When comparing this to the state of internal Korean-Japanese relations from the time of the annexation of Korea until very recently, it must be recognized that this represents a rapid and significant transformation for Korea. We must be confident that the foundation for Japanese-Korean unification has already been established. In times of peace and security, there were calls for the implementation of compulsory education, the establishment of a conscription system, and the granting of political rights. However, when faced with a national crisis of life and death, there were those who resorted to pointless arguments to evade their responsibilities. Can Koreans, both now and in the future, truly live their lives this way?

Today's Greater East Asia War is a decisive battle where the entire Greater East Asian population, risking their lives, is fighting against the long-standing enemies of three hundred years, the United States and Britain. The billion people of Greater East Asia are fighting with all their heart and soul. Can Koreans alone remain complacent and indifferent like spectators? If the Empire loses this battle, the billion people of Greater East Asia will face extinction. Can Koreans alone believe that they can prosper?

Given the current situation, all people within the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, regardless of their location or circumstances, must transcend all emotions and personal interests. Without any excuses, this is the autumn when both the old and young, men and women, must rise, unite, and dedicate their lives to the destruction of the United States and Britain. It is truly disheartening to see some people making petty excuses regarding the newly promulgated special volunteer temporary recruitment regulations. At the very least, it makes me feel deeply ashamed to have been born in Korea. What a pitiful state this is!

Modern Koreans, especially qualified students and their parents, siblings, and other family members, should be genuinely fueled by patriotism and deeply understand the current situation. They should truly think about themselves and their families, be aware of the shame of Korea, and awaken to their mission as Japanese people. If this is the case, regardless of the content of the authorities' talks on the laws, whether it is in the form of voluntary enlistment or forced conscription, whether they are to be officers or ordinary soldiers, they should not be concerned with such trivial matters. Rather, they should compete against each other to be the first to join the military ranks.

Moreover, the current special temporary recruitment of volunteers is an unprecedented and significant favor for Korea, providing absolute light and hope for Korea's future. Let us reflect deeply on this together. How much do you think the Imperial Army is mobilizing in the current Greater East Asia War? Even considering just the occupied territories, it is common sense to imagine that the number reaches millions. Despite moving such a large force, it is clear that there are still ample human resources available, considering that, as in peacetime, only able-bodied men aged twenty are required to serve in the military.

In such circumstances, what difference would it make to mobilize five or six thousand Korean students? It is common sense that moving a large force requires a significant number of officers. Students from specialized schools and above in mainland Japan enter the army as officer personnel. If Korean students who have studied alongside them are left behind, it would indeed be an insult to Koreans and a form of discrimination against Koreans by the Japanese. Furthermore, most of the students from specialized schools and above, who are set to be conscripted next year, and their families are part of the intellectual and leadership class in Korea.

By becoming officers in the army, these individuals will become the forerunners for the thousands of soldiers who will be conscripted and join the army next year, rapidly achieving Japanese-Korean unification. Moreover, only by receiving military education can these core members truly grasp the Japanese spirit and bear the significant responsibility of leading the future of Korea.

The outcome of the Greater East Asia War has already been determined. An absolutely impregnable strategic stance has been established. No matter how much the United States and Britain struggle, they cannot possibly reverse this overwhelming trend. It does not matter what happens to Italy or if the Soviet Union confronts us; such matters have no bearing on the outcome of the Greater East Asia War. Victory is undoubtedly ours.

Our belief in inevitable victory is unshakable. When the Empire achieves victory, what will those Koreans who have adopted their current attitude have to say for themselves? They will likely find no place to set foot within the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Conversely, can they now really turn to the United States or Britain? Koreans must realize that their own actions have always led to the downfall of Korea.

Moreover, if even one person fails to volunteer and is looked down upon, do you think your juniors will be able to study alongside students from mainland Japan without feeling disgrace? Do you believe that such disloyal Koreans deserve higher education beyond the level of specialized schools? Those hesitant to volunteer have various complicated reasons. While there may be some truth in these reasons, the fact remains that if modern Koreans truly awaken to the current situation and willingly dedicate their lives to the Empire, these issues should soon be resolved as a natural consequence. And if, after displaying such loyalty as Imperial subjects, these issues remain unresolved, then it would be appropriate to make demands openly.

In any case, the survival of Korea lies in the hands of Koreans themselves. The path that Koreans must take should be paved by Koreans themselves. The reason I am speaking out so passionately is not because I have been requested by the military or bribed by the authorities. It is simply because, as one of the Emperor's subjects and particularly as a Korean, I cannot remain indifferent in the face of this situation. I was born in Korea and am well acquainted with Korean circumstances. When I dissect the psychology of those who are hesitant to express their willingness to volunteer, I can assert without hesitation that their various excuses are merely pretexts to avoid volunteering.

Historically, Korea has been characterized by an excessively misguided sense of familial attachment. Apart from the modern youth, anyone who is older will likely be familiar with the Qing Invasion of Joseon. This major event in Korean history occurred 308 years ago. Qing troops invaded Korea, and the king, along with his high officials, retreated and took refuge in Namhansanseong Fortress. The Qing troops besieged the fortress for forty-five days, placing Korea in a dire crisis of survival.

In such a national emergency, there was not a single person who earnestly tried to resolve the difficult situation. Arguments and debates ensued, with everyone stubbornly adhering to their own opinions, resulting in mere verbal conflicts. Jeong Gwang-gyeong, the Seungji (a high-ranking official), upon hearing that his elderly father’s place of refuge was attacked by the Qing troops, submitted his resignation, saying, "My mind is in chaos, my spirit is already scattered, and I am unable to fulfill my duties," and he returned home. Vice Chancellor Yun Jip, an extreme advocate of war who even attempted to kill a peace advocate, also lost his composure when he heard that the enemy had invaded Namyang, where his grandfather, wife, and siblings had taken refuge. He claimed, "I have lost my mind, my senses are confused, I have lost my sanity, and I cannot perform my duties," and requested to be relieved of his position.

An extreme example is the then Prime Minister and Chief of Staff, Kim Ryu. The queen had taken refuge on Ganghwa Island, and despite the king being worried about the lack of military preparations and struggling day and night with war expenses and provisions, Kim Ryu's private residence was guarded by government troops. His wife traveled around in a sedan chair, and his wealth was said to amount to seventy cartloads. This was the behavior of the nation's prime minister. He placed his own interests above those of his lord, his family above the nation. There was neither national honor nor shame in such conduct.

I do not believe that all Koreans are like this, nor do I think that the Korean spirit is inherently this way. As history has shown, Koreans possess a sense of righteous indignation and a latent spirit to live for a noble cause. However, years of a soft, scholarly lifestyle have ultimately led to a neglect of national duty and the cultivation of a servile and selfish mindset, which has persisted to this day. Modern Korean parents have a tendency to rely excessively on their children. What parents expect from their children is the eternal continuation of their lineage. The meaning of eternal continuation is not only the flourishing of descendants and the unbroken continuation of the lineage, but it must also naturally include the preservation of the family's honor.

However, today's Korean parents and grandparents are filled with the desire to rely on their descendants as they age. They are not content unless they keep their children and grandchildren close, like flowers to be admired, always under their care. If a child tries to engage in any manly endeavor, they are immediately stopped and led into passivity and retreat. It is hard to understand the mindset of parents who have children merely to rely on them in old age and to be taken care of by them. It is truly a disgraceful and laughable lack of spirit, something to be despised. Parents and grandparents cannot live forever, but the lives of their descendants are long. Parents should abandon their selfish wickedness and be content with praying for the future prosperity of their children.

Unlike the feudal era of the past, especially in modern times when the world is the stage, what do you intend to achieve in a tiny place like Korea? The love of parents who want to keep their children attached to them is something even dogs and cats possess. Humans should not be drowned in such animalistic love. Filial piety to parents is not a duty or a law; it is a morality based on natural reason. It must arise from the heart, without the need for parental demands. Filial piety is the foundation of human morality. However, being in perpetual attachment to one's parents is not the entirety of filial piety.

Modern young men, break away from the old ways! Your stage is vast and wide open. Break down outdated customs, and with firm determination, persuade your parents and grandparents, and boldly seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The fate of success or failure rests on your shoulders.

Some have said that they will not enlist even if conscripted. What a despicable and shameful mindset! Are you content to be safe, even if it means being trampled, kicked, or becoming like a dog or a cat? Do you not understand the meaning of conscription? Being conscripted does not necessarily mean you will be working only in Korea or mainland Japan. Why would conscription be necessary in places like Korea and mainland Japan, which have such poor resources? Even if conscripted, you will inevitably go to the front lines and work alongside brave soldiers. You will go to the battlefield, whether you are fighting with swords and guns or working with shovels, hammers, and pickaxes. You must also be prepared to face enemy air raids. You will need to receive the baptism of artillery fire from the enemy. Whether you die gloriously as an Imperial soldier who does not know when he will die, or die as a forced conscript, which is more honorable? If even one forced conscript emerges among Korean students, the honor of Koreans will be completely tarnished.

Humans are living beings who live by conviction. Where there is conviction, there is effort, hope arises, security accompanies, and there is joy. Our only path is to dedicate our lives to serving the Emperor and the nation as loyal Japanese subjects. We must firmly hold this conviction. It is absolute and unconditional. The time is imminent. Let us decide quickly and without hesitation.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1943年11月18日

朝鮮の将来は学徒に懸る（下）

半島出身陸軍中佐平山輔英 （手記）

躊躇なく決心せよ

唯一途、忠良の臣民たれ

一面満州事変より支那事変となるに及び朝鮮人の愛国の至誠が認められ、朝鮮に於ける徴兵制度実施の前提として特別志願兵制度が実施せられ、既に幾多の志願兵が実戦に参加しているのであるが、これ等特別志願兵がよく皇軍の一員としてその真価を発揮し純粋大和民族と同等遜色がなきのみならず大東亜戦争に及び逐年志願者の数も激増し、朝鮮人全体の愛国の熱も最高調に達していることを認められたので、我等朝鮮人の多年の宿望たる朝鮮に於ける徴兵制度実施に関する法令が大東亜戦争の真最中に発布せられて、明年度より実施の段取りとなって居り、続いて義務教育の実施も明後昭和二十一年度に控えるようになったのである。

之を韓国併合当時から、極めて最近までの内鮮関係に較べて見ると朝鮮に取っては急速なる一大変革であって内鮮一体の基礎は既に確立されていると確信せねばならぬ。無事太平の時にはやれ義務教育を実施してくれ、徴兵制度を布いてくれ、やれ参政権を与えてくれなどと得手勝手な熱を吹いて居りながら、いざ国家の危急存亡の一大危局に直面すると何の彼のと屁理屈を言い出して、自己の責任を遁れようとしている。こんなことで果して現在及び将来の朝鮮人が人生として生き抜くことが出来るであろうか。

今日の大東亜戦争は三百年来の宿敵米英との大東亜全民族の身命を賭しての一大決戦だ。大東亜十億の民族は理屈抜きに心血を注いで闘っているのだ。独り朝鮮人のみが恬然として安閑として傍観的態度を取っていられようか。此の一戦に於いて若しも帝国が負けたならば、大東亜十億の民族が滅亡するのである。独り朝鮮人のみが繁栄し得るものと信じていられるであろうか。

今日の情勢は大東亜圏内に於ける民族である限り、その處と事情との如何に拘わらず、凡ての感情、凡ての個人的利害関係を超越し、凡ての理屈を抜きにして老いも若きも女も男も蹶然起ち一致団結して米英撃滅の為に身魂を注いで闘い抜くべき秋である。今回発布せられた特別志願兵臨時採用規則に就いても動もすれば屁理屈を言い度がるものが相当にあるのを見るのは誠に慨嘆に堪えないことであって、少くも私自身が此の朝鮮に生れたことが恥ずかしくて堪えられないのだ。何という情けない状態であろう。

現代の朝鮮人わけても適格者たる学徒並びにその父母兄弟姉妹にして真に憂国の真情に燃え、現時局を深く認識し真に一身一家を思い、朝鮮の恥を知り、日本人としての使命に目覚めて居るとしたら、法令に関する当局の講話の内容がどうあろうと、自由志願の形式であろうと強制であろうと、幹部要員ではなく唯の一兵であろうと、そんな些末なことに頓着することなく、先を争って軍門に投ずべきではないか。

況や今回の特別志願兵の臨時採用が朝鮮のためには画期的一大恩典であって朝鮮の将来に絶対なる光明と希望とが与えられているに於いておやである。お互いによくよく反省して見ようではないか。今の大東亜戦争に於いて皇軍は一体どの位動いていると思うのか。占領地域のみを以て考えて見ても幾百万という数に上っていることは常識として想像着くことであろう。その大兵を動かして居りながら、人的資源は未だ未だ十二分に余裕のあることは、平時と同様満二十歳の壮丁に限り兵役に服している現実から考えて見ても明らかではないか。

そのような実情に於いて朝鮮学徒の五千や六千を駆り立てて見た所で何の足しになろう。大兵を動かすのには大量の幹部を必要とすることは常識だ。内地人専門学校以上の学徒はその幹部要員として入営するのだ。今まで机を並べて学んで居った朝鮮学徒が取り残されることは是こそ朝鮮人侮辱であり内鮮差別ではないか。而も明年度に徴兵実施を控えている専門学校以上の学徒並びにその学徒を出したる家庭と言わば例外は別としてその大部分が朝鮮に於ける有識階級であり、指導階級にあるのだ。

それらのものが陸軍の幹部となることに依って明年度徴兵実施に伴い入営する幾万の兵の楔となり内鮮一体の実を急速に成し遂げ得るのみならず、是れ等中堅層のものが軍隊教育を受くることに依ってのみ真に日本精神を把握し将来の朝鮮を背負って起ち得るところの重大なる責任があるのだ。

大東亜戦争の勝敗は既にきまって居る。絶対不敗の鉄壁の戦略態勢が完成されているのだ。米英が如何に藻掻いても此の大勢を挽回することは絶対に出来ない。伊太利がどうなろうとソビエトロシアが立向かって来ようと、そんなことは大東亜戦争の勝敗に何等の影響もない。勝利は正に此方のものだ。

必勝の信念は牢固であるのだ。帝国が戦勝の暁に於いて今日の態度を取った朝鮮人がどの面下げてものを言わんとするのか。恐らく大東亜圏内に於いては足を容るる場所もないであろう。それかと言って今更米、英に走ることが出来ようか。朝鮮を滅亡に導くものは、常に朝鮮人自体であることに気付かなければならぬ。

そればかりではない。一人でも志願に漏れたものが侮った場合諸君の後輩が恬然として内地学徒と机を並べて勉学が出来ると思うのであろうか。又斯くの如き非国民の朝鮮人に専門学校程度以上の高等教育の必要があると思うのであろうか。志願を渋るものの内には種々な込み入った理由を持って居る。それらの理由には反面の真理を認めぬこともない。然し今日の朝鮮人が真に時局に目醒め喜んで身命を皇国の為めに献ぐるに於いては当然の帰結として間もなく解決の出来る問題であろう。又斯くまで皇国臣民としての忠誠を献げて尚且つ解決が着かなかったら、その時こそ堂々と要求し得ることではないか。

何れにしても朝鮮を生かすものは朝鮮人自らの手にあるのだ。朝鮮人の進むべき道は朝鮮人自らが拓くべきではないか。自分が斯くの如く絶叫する所以のものは、何も軍部の依頼を受けたのでもなければ、将亦当局に買収されたのでもない。唯唯皇民の一人でありわけても朝鮮人の一人として此の状態を見ては安閑として居られないからに過ぎないのだ。自分は生を朝鮮に享け朝鮮の事情を能く知っているものの一人として志願の意志を容易に表明しないものの心理を倶さに解剖してみると、色々な屁理屈は志願を遁れんとする口実に過ぎないということを断言して憚らないのだ。

由来朝鮮には甚だ誤れる家庭的執着心が濃厚にある。丙子の胡乱と言えば、現代の青年は別として少しくも年取った人は皆知っていることと思う。今を距る三百八年前に於ける朝鮮の大事変である。清兵が朝鮮に侵入して王様は顕官重臣を引連れて後塵し南漢城に立て籠もって清兵のために取り囲まるること四十五日、朝鮮のためには危急存亡の一大危機に直面して居ったのだ。

斯くの如き国家の大事に当って真剣に此の難局を打開せんとするものは一人も居らなかった。甲論乙駁徒らに各々自己の説を固持し口論のみを以て終始した。都承旨鄭廣敬の如きは、老父避難の地が清兵の難に罹ったと聞いて『方寸錯乱、神魂已に散じ、職責を尽くす能わず』と称して辞表を提出して帰った。副校理尹集は和平論者を叩き斬ろうとまで敦圉いた程の極端なる主戦論者であったに拘わらず、祖父妻子兄弟の避難地南陽に賊軍が侵入したと聞いて是又『心神喪失、視聴迷錯、正気を失えるが如く、任務に堪えない』と言って解職を請うて退去してしまった。

極端なのは当時の総理大臣で参謀総長の職を兼ねて居った金瑬はどうであったか。王妃は江華島に避難し、主君は戦備の薄いのに憂慮し、戦費や兵糧に日夜苦慮せるに拘わらず、瑬の私邸は官軍を以て警護し、その妻は駕轎に乗って往来し、その財は七十駄に及んで居ったというのである。一国の宰相が斯くの如くである。自己あって主君なく、家あって国家なしの態度である。国辱も名誉もあったものではないではないか。

朝鮮人が皆が皆そうとは思って居らぬ、又我々朝鮮人の魂がもとからそうだとは考えない。歴史が証明している通り我々朝鮮人にも義憤が躍動して居り大義に生きんとするの魂が潜在しているのだ。然しながら永年の文弱生活は遂に国家を忘れ利己に走るの卑屈なる精神を生み今日に流れて来て居るのだ。現代の朝鮮の親は余りに子に頼り過ぎる通弊がある。親として子に望む所以のものは、自己の系統を永遠無窮に継続するにある。永遠無窮に継続するの意味は子孫が繁栄して系統を絶やさないことのみを意味するばかりでなく、家門の名誉を辱めないことをも当然含まなければならぬ。

然るに今日の朝鮮の父祖は老いて子孫に頼り度い気持ちが一杯だ。子や孫は花のように観賞物のように何時迄も自分の膝下に置いて置かねば承知しないのだ。何か男らしい仕事でもしようとすると直に差し止めて消極退嬰に導くのだ。一体親が子を設けて老後に於いてその子の厄介になろう、面倒を見て貰おうという親の心理が解せぬではないか。誠に意気地のない、唾棄すべき無気力な笑うべきことである。父祖や両親は何時までも生きていられるものではない。自己の子孫の生命は永い。世の親は利己的な悪を棄てて我が子の将来の繁栄を祈念するを以て満足すべきではないか。

殊に昔のような封建時代なら兎も角も現代の如き世界を舞台に活躍しつつある時勢に於いて猫の額のような朝鮮に於いて何をなそうとするのだ。親が子を腰巾着にしようとする愛情は犬や猫にだって濃厚にある。人間は斯くの如き動物愛に溺れてはならぬ筈だ。子供が親に孝養を尽くすということは義務でもなければ法律でもない。天理に基づく道徳だ。親の要求がなくても心から湧いて出なければならぬ。親孝行は人類道徳の根本である。然し親の腰巾着になって居ることばかりが親孝行ではない。

現代の若き青年よ、旧態を一新せよ！諸君の活舞台は広く広く開かれているのだ。陋習を打破し堅き決心を以て親を老祖父母を説きふせて勇躍千歳一遇の舞台に登れ。この興廃は諸君の双肩に懸っているのだ。

或るものは徴用されても志願はしないと言ったそうだが、何という卑屈な賎むべき慎むべき根性であろう。自己の生命さえ安全であれば、踏まれても、蹴られても犬になっても猫になっても好いというのか。徴用という意味を御存じないのだ。徴用されて必ずしも朝鮮や内地のみで働かされるとは限らない。内地や朝鮮の如き貧弱なる資源を持っている所で、何の徴用が必要であろう。徴用されても必然的に第一戦に往って勇敢なる兵士と共に働くのだ。矢張り戦場へ行くのだ。一方は剣や銃を執って闘い、一方はスコップやハンマや、鶴嘴を執って闘うだけの差なのだ。矢張り敵の空襲を受けることも覚悟せねばならぬ。敵の砲弾の洗礼も受けなければならぬ。何時戦死するか判らぬ立派なる帝国軍人として戦死するのと徴用人として戦死するのと何方が名誉だ。朝鮮の学徒に一人の徴用者が出たとしたら、それこそ朝鮮人の面目は丸潰れだ。

人間は信念に生きる生物である。信念のある所に努力が生じ、希望が湧き、安心が伴い、歓喜があるのだ。我々の生きる道は忠良なる日本臣民として身命を君国に献げて御奉公申し上ぐるにあるのみなのだ。この信念を堅持せねばならぬ。絶対無条件である。期日は眼前に差し迫っている。速やかに躊躇なく決心しようではないか。

Source: https://archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-11-18/page/n2/mode/1up