Thousands of Koreans and the Sinking of the Ukishimaho... Received the Full Passenger List

"Utilizing Thorough Analysis to Ascertain the Truth"

The government is reported to have received additional lists of Korean victims from the Japanese government regarding the Ukishimamaru (Ukishima) incident, which sank in 1945.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "After consultations with the Japanese government, we have received 22 additional documents related to the passenger lists of the Ukishima." It added, "As with the previously obtained materials, the government will utilize thorough analysis to aid victims and to ascertain the truth of the Ukishima incident."

With this provision of lists, the government has secured all 75 known passenger lists of the Ukishima held by the Japanese government. Previously, in September and October of last year, the government had obtained 53 documents in two separate rounds.

Passenger List of the Ukishima Ship. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The newly received documents include ▲Ukishima death lists ▲Ukishima passenger lists ▲Ukishima distress lists, among others. The government plans to cross-analyze these materials with existing victim reports and past casualty lists to verify accurate facts.

The Ukishima was a Japanese naval transport ship on which Koreans forcibly conscripted to military facilities in Aomori Prefecture in 1945 boarded to return home shortly after liberation. On August 22 of the same year, it departed from Ominato Port in Aomori Prefecture and was en route to Maizuru Port in Kyoto on the 24th when an unexplained explosion occurred in the lower part of the hull, causing it to sink.

The Japanese government has stated that the Ukishima was sunk by hitting an underwater mine. The ship carried 3,700 Koreans, with about 500 reported dead. However, some bereaved families claim that the total number of passengers was between 7,500 and 8,000, and that the death toll exceeds 3,000.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government had previously claimed that no passenger lists for the Ukishima existed. However, in May of last year, the existence of the lists became public following a freedom of information request by Japanese journalist Fuse Yujin (布施祐仁).

Since then, the Foundation for Victims of Japanese Forced Mobilization under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has formed a task force (TF) to investigate the Ukishima lists and is analyzing the provided documents. Including the newly received lists, the investigation is scheduled to be completed within this year. Based on this investigation, the government plans to reexamine and provide relief to bereaved families whose past applications for consolation payments related to forced mobilization damages were dismissed or rejected.