韓國人 原爆被害者에 대한 諸硏究와 問題點

Review and Prospect of Studies on Korean A-bomb Victims

Two atomic bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in early August, 1945. To the Allied Forces, the bombing meant their victory of World War II. To Japanese people, it symbolized the defeat, of course. To people in the Japanese colonies and occupied territory, in consequently brought independence of their countries. Moreover, to humankind, in meant the gloomy beginning of the nuclear weapons era. Koreans have usually regarded the atomic bombing as punishment on Japan. As a result of that, the Korean government have not paid much attention to the atomic bomb victims, who have had to endure poverty and social indifference for many years. In reality, there are only a few Korean researchers to investigate the problem about the A-bomb victims. Because they depend on the Japanese studies and materials, they usually accept the Japanese point of view - opposition against nuclear weapons and advocacy of peace. However, most Korean victims are within the Korean society so we need 'our' theory about the atomic bomb and A-bomb victims. First, we should reconsider the role of nuclear weapons. The meaning of the national security and the nuclear weapons have changed since the end of the cold war. Second, we should examine the historical background and the living conditions of Korean A-bomb victims. Their existence in representing all the calamity that Koreans have ever experienced in the 20th century - conscription, recruitment, survival from the bombing, and repatriation. At present, thanks to the law which passed in March, 2004, we can expect more and more studies or researches about the forceful mobilization under the Japanese rule. This situation is urging us to approach more sincerely toward the problem of the Korean A-bomb victims.