일본군의 3·1운동 탄압과 조선통치방안

The Japanese Army’s Suppression against the 1919 Independence Movement and Colonial Administration Plans

Joseonsoyosageongwangyeseoryu(the Papers Relating to Korean Commotion), is the file in which the Japanese Department of the Army organized the documents sent or received. This file contains telegrams sent or received by the department right after the 1919 Independence Movement, reports organized according to dates, and statistical tables. Right after the 1919 Independence Movement, Japanese infantry and calvary were deployed to Seoul and Pyeongyang, being dispersed twice in the areas where the movement occurred. Around March 12, 1919, the Japanese Army was deployed at the center to prevent people from gathering in crowds for demonstration and allow troops to move with ease. The Japanese Army was deployed to investigate the current situation of the movement and reinforce the existing military deployment after March 20 of that year. While the army made saber rattling and took charge of the rear of the demonstration, the military police actually suppressed the front of the demonstration. The Japanese Governor-General judged that it was impossible to suppress the movement with the current troops and military policemen alone and asked the Japanese Cabinet to increase the force. As a result, six more battalions of infantrymen were specially dispatched to Korea early in April. Just after landing at Korea, they were dispersed in about 500 regions to supplement the existing military and police. The specially-dispatched battalions were equipped with weapons for war to threaten Koreans. With the nationwide spread of the movement, Japan shifted from coercion to suppression, from conspicuous threat to retribution. Beginning with blank ammunition, the Japanese military and police increased the weapons by ball cartridges and artillery. To capture participants of the movement, Japan also organized arrest and capture squads. The Japanese Army in Korea began to analyze the causes of the movement early in April and presented colonial administration plans. The plans included better treatment to Koreans, establishment of schools, local self-government, and freedom of press. However, the control of Koreans was reinforced by police force and civilian inspection measures were taken for Koreans by increasing police force and reinforcing civilian rule inspection. The Japanese Army’s plan to govern Korea was reported in the privy council in July, 1919, influencing the change of the policy.