Around August 15 1945 in One Korean Family 〔by Lee Jongyun）

In the end of Ｍarch in 1943, I got a job at Chongjin Ironworks of Nihon Seitetsu (Japanese steel company) at the Chongjin port in Hamgyongbukto with a great dream. I entered the company as an apprentice technician applying to the conscription.

At that time there were a lot of conscripted people because of shorthandedness. They were forced employees. Though there were two ways, applying and forced, in conscription, actually they were not different from each other.

My home town was at Meiji-machi (now Kesandong) in Taegu. My father died of illness when I was 7 years old and my family was my mother, 2 elder sisters, 4 elder brothers and 2 younger brothers. So it was 10 in total and large.

I, the third son, used to doodle on the wall and was scolded by my elder brothers and sisters and forbidden to use pencils, when I was 4 or 5 years old.

In spite of that, I drew something by wooden-pencil in the yard, so my sister hit me. I remember I was a crybaby.

My father ran the shop of western shoe materials on the opposite side of the Taegu police station. There was a signboard of the Kyongbukyo leather shop on the roof of the shop. We had 4 or 5 employees, so our family was well off.

As my eldest brother was still 18 years old after my father's death, we closed the shop. The shop slid down to a small one named the Kyongil leather shop on the center street, but our life didn't get harder.

Once World War II（the Daitoa Senso）broke out, all the leather material was conscripted for the military, then most of the material shops were closed. We had to close the shop, too.

As the war situation became worse, we faced difficulties in our life and my eldest brother was requisitioned for the Chimnampo factory of Nihon Seitetsu in Pyongannamdo and became a worker.

The second brother was also requisitioned for the Aoji artificial oil company in Hamgyongbukto opposite of Vladivostok in Soviet Union. He lost his left foot together with his boot by the boiling oil and burned himself very hard. Although he was under cure for 4 months, he had suffered from pains for ten years.

Finally the forth sister, Lee Kyounghi (Yoko Hara in Japanese name) was still maiden and she faced the crisis to be requisitioned for women volunteer corps that was changed to be wartime comfort women (*1).

At the same time of her graduation from women's art school in Taegu, my mother asked to Mr. Park Inho working in Helongin of Manchu to arrange that her daughter could work in Manchu,　so she was able to escape from the requisition of the devote team.
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*1) The comment is added to this topic by the staff. See here.

Mr. Park Inho brought forward my sister's resume to a town office of Helog prefecture, where he was　working, and a personal department officer said to him, You should not bring　such a resume but one handwritten by herself.

As Mr. Park explained that it was a resume written by　herself, the officer　agreed to test it.

After the officer confirmed it was her genuine letter and was surprised by　her good handwriting, he employed her on the very day.

When she was in the 5th grade in the Hido elementary school in Taegu, she exhibited her work　as a representative of her school for all Japan student'ｓ calligraphy　exhibition and won the bronze prize. She was so a talented woman.

Her award was reported on every newspaper in Seoul and　Taegu. She seemed to　have been very popular in her school.

After working at the village office of Helong for 4 months, she was　picked up for the　personal department of the prefecture office of Helong as a maiden excellent calligrapher. She could get not　only salary raise but also special food tickets for　Japanese, though at that time food ration was ranked in 4 grades, for Japanese, for Korean, for　Manchurian and for Chinese. I have heard they gave special preference to her.

My sister wrote a letter to Taegu and explained her　situation and asked to　send clothes to her.

In Taegu all family members got set and sent 8 clothes, so her many clothes　drew public attention and they said,What much dress she keeps!. She became an object of envy.

In May, 1944 she evacuated to Manchu, and in July 15, 1945 retuned to our home　town Taegu.

In those days the trend of women volunteer corps changed, so we cabled her　frequently about our mother's critical condition and as it influenced effectively she was able to return home.

One month later the War ended, so, if she could not come back at that time,　she would have a terrible experience. Really she was a lucky person.

I took a basical education at the Chongjin Ironworks as an apprentice mechanic and then planned to have a professional training in a coke part of chemical section, but the War situation　became worse day by day. Okinawa had been already occupied and Kamikaze was not so effective, so we were on the verge of the day of decisive battle in the mainland.

Coke was necessary to produce iron as strategic materials, so we were forced to do restless hard work day after day to avoid the coke on the conveyer belt falling down, which would stop the conveyer if it did.

As it was impossible to operate the furnace without casting up the coke on the belt, we worked as a team from 9 in the morning to 5 in the evening. Each team consisted of 12 members and there were about 10 teams.
I was not strong enough to do the hard work. But I had keeep doing such hard work every day which my colleagues sympathized me but the labor manager didnt care at all since he didnt have humanity even a bit of the sparrows tear.
During the fifteen minutes rest time, I recalled the faces of my mother, brother, and sister. Such painful days continued.
Oh, why did this war break out and why did we have to fight？

On the 6th of August in 1945, The A-bomb was dropped in Hiroshima but the newspapers only reported that A new-type bomb was dropped and we were damaged heavily.

Around 11am on the 7th of August in 1945, the fatal day arrived.

The Soviet fleet and their landing crafts departed from the naval port in Vladivostok. They ignored the Nonaggression Pact between Japan and Soviet Union and joined forces with American and British allied Navy began to bombard the Chongjin port and prepared to land.

We left the ironworks leaving the gates of all the coke furnaces open.
We packed up our things at room No.52 in the Chonghun training camp in Chongjin City and headed to our hometown in the South.
When we got nearly 100 meter to the Lanam station, suddenly over 30 MPs (Military Police) appeared and ordered, All the young men over sixteen should join the army and defend Lanam to the last and destroy the Soviet military that landed Chongjin.

We all threw away our baggage and obeyed the MP's order.
We went into an army placed with Lanam division headquarters and were taken to the wooden one-story cottage in appearance, but to our surprise, it was a two-story cottage inside. In munitions storehouse, we were supplied with battle dress, battle shoes, grade stripe, valise, rifle, trench knife and 120 bullets and 50 spare bullets were put in my valise.
Our troop was formally declared Abe platoon, Hoshino party, 202 Korean force..
Then I was named Keizou Hara (Lee Jonggun), a private E-1 of the 3d section in the 2nd platoon.

My last name, Hara, came from my ancestors last name, who was a Chinese great general and afterward he was naturalized as a Korean citizen and was granted the last name by the king of Koryeo in the Koryeo period. I succeeded the granted last name itself.
The reason was that since I became a soldier of the private E-1, I hoped that I might be protected by the luck of my great Korean general ancestor in the war.

I added ZOU (means three) in the latter half of my first name after Kei Hara who was shot on 2.26 assassination, wishing that I would have three lives.
I remember a student who was a classmate of my elder brother Lee Jongyun who studied at Meiji University and　came home during the summer vacation and explained about the details of the 2.26 incident. It was said Japan was a land of the Deity, and thus the members of the revolt against the Emperor misled Japan to such a defeated ending. It was too much to ask for my weakness.

I love the goodness of Japan. My former teacher, Mr. Kenjiro Saisyo (came from Kumamoto, Kyusyu district) and Mr. Tsutomu Nagao, both taught me complete honesty. I want to keep what they taught me throughout my life.

After organizing a unit, they gathered young soldiers like us and taught us the shooting posture, how to use the rifle, etc, thoroughly. Having been led by the heavy tank, Soviet force subdued the Chongjin city and next, they camped to make a formation for a general attack on the Lanan city where the division headquarters located. Even a recruit like me could easily understand that there was no chance to win if our force could not destroy the heavy tank of enemy troops.

The leader of the 3rd platoon was a warrant officer aged around forty, though I had forgotten his name, he was a very humane person.
When the night attack was ordered, the troops who belonged to the 3rd section, were all named Hikou Bakurai Tokkoutai, which means to attack a tank by bombs attached to oneself. The bomb was set in the wooden white box to be carried on shoulders and a string was attached to the side of it. By pulling off the string, the bomb would explode.

The order was Destroy the caterpillar of the tank and kill yourselves.
Our bodies were camouflaged with grasses, and marched to the place where Soviet heavy tanks were placed in the midnight, and we were on the verge of death before the all-out attack .

I said to myself, Oh, so this is the time just before the death on orders. If it was a kamikaze-command , it might have been thrilling, but we were just teenage boys advancing to heavy tanks on the grass. Oh, old commander, youre really cruel to order us to destroy the enemy tanks and then kill ourselves.

When we arrived at 25 meter away from the point, suddenly the flare bomb explored upon us and our whole bodies were bared. The loud voice of commander reverberated, All troops! Throw away the bomb and retreat from the enemy! This is an order!

The commanders order immediately spread out and we dashed at breakneck speed in all directions and retreated.
Just over our heads, machine guns bullets from enemy whizzed overhead. After retreated hundreds of meters, we checked our soldiers, and found that there was no one dead or wounded.　
This was the help from God. This must have been the first help from the late prime minister Kei Hara.

We surrounded the Commander as if he was a God and respected him like a God. After 10th of August, 1945, the government gave the order of retreat to all 202 forces and we went ahead on the operation of retreat and there was no one dead in the war in our platoon.

When the first retreat team arrived at Kilju in Hamgyongbukto, they joined the Japanese railway workers quarter and rested there. It seemed that the railway workers were the first to escape. Our Abe platoon had a long rest in the quarters through the night.

On the 15th of August, 1945, Japanese Emperor declared the Unconditional Surrender by his own voice on the radio, but our platoon didn't hear it.
Ｏn the morning of August 17th, Captain Abe, our head of the platoon, ordered to chip off the chrysanthemum crest (a symbol of Emperor) on the rifle. Afterward our platoon marched in convoy and got to the Kinju financial union where Soviet officers, soldiers and the group of heavy tanks were waiting for us.

The height of Soviet military women with long rifle, thatposture, and their huge breasts! I felt as if I was watching the foreign movies. After being disarmed, we were guided near the Kinju river and when I saw over 3000 Japanese prisoners. I definitely realized that Japan was defeated 100%.

As we were completely surrounded by the Soviet forces, we felt sick and tired.
The Soviet mounted forces with automatic rifle hanging from their necks standing every 10 meters, and ordered us to advance to the 3000 Japanese prisoners of the 202 unit. It was an order to go near the Lanam headquarters from where our forces had retreated.

Returning again to the same road which we had retreated before, I felt like it was one of the plays or movie scenes. As I was growing from youth to adulthood, I was suffering from the change of history and pain of life. I held back the emotion of committing a suicide with heart empty and broken.

Once I dropped out of the line, and a soldier beside me said to me, Hey you! Be brave or you will be shot! By saying so, he was protecting me but he was also all tears and I thanked him wholeheartedly and sensed the humane love and cried, Private, E2, I am sorry, sir！ and went back to the line.

Our prisoner's unit got to the entrance of Lanam city and all sat on the large hill according to the order by the head of the 202 unit. The head of our platoon announced an instruction to all from his horseback. The basic content of the order was The defeat was not because our sword was broken or our weapons were lost. We only obeyed by the Imperial command. We should unite our spirit and put up with all suffering. His voice was so sorrowful that we all wept in tears.

Our prisoner's unit began to walk to Kumusan in Hamgyongbukto by the order of Soviet Union. Passing through Lanam and Chongjin, I thought about it and recognized that Kumosan is the only excellent ironstone production site in Korea. Do we need such an ironstone now?

Come to think of it, this path must have been a planned destination to take us to Siberia, Wondering about how would it be like in Siberia, it was almost certain that I would freeze to death in winter there without doubt. I planned to escape from there.

We knew the antecedent that Soviet soldiers would shoot the escaping prisoners immediately without any doubt. When our platoon was approaching Komusan, the Soviet commander suddenly changed the order. Our 202 platoon was ordered to change the destination and head to the city of Hungnam in Hamgyeongnamdo down south, then retreat to the city of Kilju, get captured there, and on the way back from the Lanam city to Komusan, again returning down to the south. We were all surprised at this order of repeatedly going back and forth.

But there were some hopes to head south. We were forced to march through the city of Chongjin and the city of Lanam, and more and more to the south. Not only we were exhausted but food had run out. We couldn't even have a decent meal, and in such condition, I saw one officer who was suffering from the pain by a stomach spasm, and a private E-1 and E-2 were looking after him. After 30 minutes, while we were thinking about how we should digest food, an offier dropped out of the line, and he and his two tending soldiers were shot together to death.

"Don't drop out of line, we are on a death march, remember that!", the announcement came about. The new word of "Death March" was created that time. Tragedies happened continuously since then, and surprising news occurred so frequently as we continued the death march.

There were over 10 dead bodies in group along the road, and almost all of them were stabbed by swords. They were Japanese civilian dead bodies. I supposed they were killed by Koreans. I've heard in North Korea near Manchu, guerillas which consisted of Korean independent army members had broken out and a lot of the family of the army had been shot by the Japanese devastating operations.

I judged that they were the vicarious sacrifice of it. But a moment when I found the lovely dead baby humped on his mother's back, I wept out crying and couldn't stop. Oh, humans are merely animals of a wicked heart! I lamented.

I wondered why we were going to Hungnam.
In Hungnam, Japan had built an excellent high frequency factory by Japanese engineers. Soviet maybe planed to carry the equipments of the factory after dismantling. I guess that they wanted to throw us into such heavy labor. When our head of platoon heared about my thoughts, he said, You, Hara!, you really can so anticipate, can't you?
And he laughed and teased me by saying that if Kei Hara who had been killed at the 2.26 incident, were named Keizou(means three Keis as mentioned before) instead of Kei, he might have had three chances to escape from his death.

September had passed and October came, and the lack of prisoner's food became so serious. We arrived at Sinpo of Hamgyeongnamdo. The port of Sinpo was famous for the entering port of myeongtae fish. At Sinpo, we were given one dried myeongtae and a cup of soybeans. It was our one day food and there was no rice at all.

In the main sentence it is mentioned as follows;
Quote:
We, as managing staff of the site, recognize that these [ women volunteer corps] and [wartime comfort women] are different categories.

In Korea it is considered that this mixed up understanding becomes common due to the confusion after the war.

Recently Japan and Korea decided to study jointly our historical recognition. We are hoping that the correct fact is becoming clear in this study.

Managing staff of the site

As for the attitude of Korea, when the Soviet forces were advancing to the town, all the public stations displayed red flags, so all over there it seemed the field of red flags.
Their clothes were dirty and they never thought of laundry. Their daily breads were black one and I had never seen a white bread.

Our 202 platoon, heading Hugnam in the south, marched to the south, and sometimes took a short break. About one tenth of all members had diarrhea. Our platoon and company, all in line with strange sounds, so often took a longer rest time.

This was an inevitable result because of eating the raw soybeans. But luckily I never had a diarrhea, and when I had a good shit, the officer next to me envied and said to me, You! you bring a good shit! Only on this day, I didn't want to exchange my private E-2 badge of rank to officer's one.

Going down to Hugnam in south direction, our 202 platoon passed through the front of the prefectural office flapping many Soviet flags in the Hamhung city, went over the prefectural hospital and left the big Manse bridge behind, and we took a rest for a while. At that time, a man in front of me was shouting loud in Korean, Are there Korean people? If there, please hand up! I will take you off!

I judged this was a chance of escape, but I was afraid of Soviet soldier's long rifles. One Korean young man whispered me if I were a Korean. I nodded and explained him that as the Soviet soldier would absolutely kill the escaping man with wearing the Japanese military clothes, and asked him to gather the Soviet soldiers around there and to shout MANSE(means furray or blavo) or to hug them, then I would run with utmost effort with your young member on the best chance. He praised I was clever and persuaded one member to do so.

CHANCE did come.
4 or 5 young members gathered the Soviet soldiers and while they were hurray shouting or hugging and made them felt to uplift, a man signed to escape for me by lifting his left hand.
The youth waiting by me took my hand and started running at the full speed to the road under the dike of the river. After 200 meter escaping running, in rear of the big wood we embraced each other crying out for escaping.
It was deep emotion about our success of escaping.
Watching the 202 platoon which kept going away to the distance, I couldn't forget the human love for the soldiers of my colleagues.

Captured by military police;
1) My emotion when I wore the military clothes and acquired the insignia in 202 platoon.
2) A fear when we failed to blast attck the Soviet tank by Hikou bakurai tokkoutai (army Kamikaze) and retreated.
3) My emotion when we surrendered to the Soviet forces at Kilju.
4) The march for death ordered by Soviet soldiers who would shoot the dropout unconditionally.
5) The human love when I saw the civilian little baby's dead body.
6) Thanks for the youth in Hamhung who cooperated in a desperate escape.

Lee Jongdyun

- to be continued -

I was forced to see again the tragedy that I never wanted to see more.

The boss of the youngmen who succeeded in the escape and had rescued me from captive's body was the eldest son of the cleaning worker in the Hamhung provincial hospital (The name was forgotten). His house was an impecunious family as it was a small hut.

He took me to a large market and said to peoples.
Ladies & Gentlemen, this young man came from the Taegu city and his home is in that city. He was working in Chyeongjin Ironworks co. When the Soviet army landed the Chyeongjin city, military police of Japanese army incorporated him into Japanese army. He became Soviet army's captive for several months but we rescued him on the bridge Manse. Please contribute him for going home to his town.

I got 85 yen and it was enough for my travel.

For going to south I went to the Hamhung station. I found Japanese families of about 80 persons around the corner in front of the station. And there also was a chief clerk of chemical machinery division of Chyeongjin Ironworks co. with his family.

When I was approaching to the chief clerk for greeting, I saw two Soviet soldiers taking out two Japanese women and went into the half broken house. Perhaps they were raped. About 30 minutes later, two women came back to their group with hanging down their heads and powerless expression.

I thought that we had to win on the war, in old days or now.

Suddenly I saw Mr.Todo passing by. He was an apprentice worker of the chmical machinery division as I was. He said You are Hara Keizo aren't you!? We embraced each other. Mr.Todo was surprised to see my sun burned and terribly thinned face, and said What happened!?.

I said I joined the Japanese army on 17th AUG. and escaped from the Soviet army several days ago, I am going to my hometown Taegu by train.

And I said Yah! Mr.Todo! Let's go south together with me. I heard that American soldiers in south are gentlemen. If you will go with me, You will be able to get 38line over although you can not speak Korean. Travelling expenses are enough for two.

We promised to meet here on this time of the day after tomorrow. I had to meet youngmen and say thanks for helping me.

Two days later, I waited for Mr.Todo for 3 housr at the Hamhung station but he did not appear. I could not find Japanese group also. So I decided to have lonely travel, took on train and arrived at the terminal on the north side of 38line, got 38line over by walking, then I took on train at the Tongdoocheon station and took off train at the Seoul station.

I tried to sleep in the garden of the St.French hospital, but it came rain and I got wet and felt very cold. I could take a train bound for Pusan finally about 5p.m. I was surprised to see Japanese soldiers were talking about with putting uniform of army on. And I saw Japannese and Korean talking about with smiling, then I thought difference of south and north is as like as heaven and ground.

At a half past 4 next morning, the train arrived at the Taegu station. Finally I arrived at 2-Meiji town where my mother was waiting. I knocked the gate lightly then I heard my mother saying loudly Who is there!?
The elder sister and younger brother came out through the courtyard and opend the big gate. We embraced each other and threw the tears of feeling.

15 days later, the elder brother who was in Kyeomyipo IronWorks came back home, and A month laterr, another elder brother who was injured at the artificial petroleum factory (It was in a side of toward Uradiostock) came back home, Our home was emcomrassed with thanks and feeling.

Now our families decentrated for four places,
1) Manju Helong pref.,
2) Hamgyeongbukdo Aoji,
3) Pyeongannamudo Chinnampo
and
4) Hangyeongbukdo Cheongjin City,
were all in home of Taegu where our mother was waiting. Most lucky person among them is the elder sister Lee Gyeonghi. She came back a month before the end of the war. She was a princess who was not made dirty by anyone else.

Lee Jongyun

- The end -