User:Calvinhuynh2002/Genocide of indigenous peoples

Cultural genocide in Korea

Main articles: Sōshi-kaimei and Korean Language Society Incident

Shortly after Japan annexed the Korean Empire in 1910, Korean citizens were subject to a policy of forced assimilation to abandon their culture and adopt Japanese names. In 1942, Japanese colonial police forces arrested and tortured members of the Korean Language Society in response to their advocacy for Korean independence and banned the Korean language.

Cultural genocide in Korea refers to the systematic eradication and suppression of Korean culture and identity during the period of Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. This era was marked by coercive assimilation policies imposed by the Empire of Japan, which aimed to erase Korean cultural heritage and replace it with Japanese customs and values.The annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910 marked a significant turning point in Korean history. Japan, at the height of its imperial power, sought to expand its colonial influence in East Asia. Korea, strategically located between China and Japan, became a target for annexation due to its perceived threat to Japan's security interests.

Under Japanese rule, Korea faced extensive cultural suppression and assimilation policies aimed at eradicating Korean identity. Kokutai is a Japanese term that translates to "national polity" or "national essence." It encompasses the idea of a unified national identity and serves as a central concept in Japanese nationalism and political ideology, was enforced to instill patriotism among Koreans, albeit under Japanese control. Koreans were subjected to discriminatory treatment and viewed as inferior to Japanese citizens. Japanese authorities employed various tactics to subjugate Korean culture and heritage. This included banning the speaking of Korean language in schools, altering historical narratives to portray Koreans as primitive, and destroying Korean cultural artifacts. Shinto shrines, originally intended for Japanese families, were repurposed as places of forced worship for Koreans.The cultural genocide inflicted profound psychological and social trauma on the Korean population. The forced assimilation policies led to the eradication of Korean names, with many Koreans compelled to adopt Japanese names for basic rights such as marriage, education, and employment. The destruction of historical documents and landmarks, including the royal palace in Seoul, deprived Koreans of their historical roots and national symbols.

Despite the oppressive measures, resistance movements emerged, culminating in the March 1st Movement of 1919. Exiled leaders established the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, advocating for independence from Japanese rule. The legacy of cultural genocide persists in the collective memory of Koreans, shaping their national identity and ongoing tensions with Japan.

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References

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4. Leonard, Sarwww.cgs.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/CGS09/workshops_e/w_2004_02_23_e.html.ah Rose. The Simmering Tensions between Japan and Korea, from Berkeley Rep: The Great Waveby Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 10 Sept. 2019, https://issuu.com/berkeleyrep/docs/program-gw/s/142029#:~:text=In%201910%2C%20the%20Empire%20of,enforced%20Japanese%20customs%20and%20rules.

5. Matsumura, Yuko. “CGS 1st Workshop: ‘Cultural Genocide’ and the Japanese Occupation of Korea.” IGS Interdisciplinary Genocide Studies―ジェノサイド研究, 24 Feb. 2004, http://www.cgs.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/CGS09/workshops_e/w_2004_02_23_e.html