The Implementation and Characteristics of the Japanese Navy's Korean Mobilization System during the Asia-Pacific War

Abstract

The Japanese Navy has mobilized troops against Koreans since August 1943. The Navy's late push for the mobilization of Korean troops was due to concerns and distrust of Koreans. However, as the war situation worsened and Japanese military resources became scarce, naval mobilization was eventually implemented against Koreans. Until now, the structure and status of the Japanese Navy's mobilization of Korean troops has been poorly understood due to data limitations. The sketchy accounts of the start of the naval special assistance system in Korea in 1943 and the conscription system in 1944 make it even more difficult to understand the structure of the navy's troop mobilization. This article examines the status of the Japanese Navy's implementation of the Korean Special Support System through institutions and examples, and explains in detail the structure and methods of troop mobilization. The results show that the Japanese Navy utilized both the volunteer and conscription systems to mobilize the Korean population. Contrary to what is known, the scale of Korean mobilization was greater through volunteers than conscription, as the Japanese navy preferred to train them directly through volunteers in order to secure high-quality troops. Meanwhile, Koreans were initially mobilized as sailors and mechanics, but after 1945, about 50% of the total number of Koreans were mobilized as engineers. This was due to the need to build airfields and underground facilities to prevent American air raids and landings.