사할린 한인 미귀환 문제의 역사적 접근과 제언

A proposal for a historic and legal in-repatriate research of Korean resident in Sakhalin

There are six categories of ethnic Koreans in the Sakhalin area who were not able to return to Korea. (1) Ethnic-Koreans in the Sakhalin who could not return to Korea (2) Deceased ethnic-Koreans victims (3) Russia’s prohibition clause which affected rights of ethnic Koreans to return to Korea (4) Long-term ethnic Korean residents who gave up their return plans due to the Korea War (5) Family members were forced to be separated due to coercion (6) The prohibition from the Japanese government Likewise, ethnic Koreans in the Sakhalin area have various causes for not being able to return and remain in the area. It is an urgent matter to focus on the non-returnees from the Sakhalin area. The most urgent need is disclose excavation of deceased ethnic Koreans and identify a list of victims. Excavation becomes necessary and it is crucial to disclose a complete list of victimized ethnic-Koreans during the Japanese colonial period, and for the separated family members to be united in Korea. At the same time, the research on non-returnees of the ethnic Koreans in the Sakhalin area has an important nature. Non-returnees of the ethnic Koreans in the Sakhalin area will shed a light at the level of international law. The issue of non-returnees is one way of reassessing the Japanese imperial policies, and subsequently will relate to seeking the compensation and apologies from the Japanese government for ethnic Koreans pain and suffering. Also, the issue will re-address the current Japanese government and right-wing rootless logic on their interpretation of history of Japan. The research on ethnic Koreans in Sakhalin would also bring in a constructive East Asian cooperation plan in the long run. The research on ethnic Korean in Sakhalin would review current living status of the ethnic Koreans for a more guaranteed social welfare and the better life. At the same time, comparative studies can be generated by analyzing other ethnic Koreans who still remain in other areas by highlighting Sakhalin’s particular historical circumstances which can be led to issues regarding problems of forced residence, Koreans living in overseas, and possibilities of linking divided families along with providing help to establish better life conditions. Potential crucial research themes related to ethnic Korean in the Sakhalin are as follows. · The need for the correct statistical data on forced residence · Detailed compensation plan for the forced residents · Help separated families to get united · Disclose legal documents related to ethnic Koreans so that Japan’s atrocities can be revealed · Interpretation of the data in Russia · Reiterate past research results · More integrated studies needed to research on nature, society, political and international relations in Sakhalin · The United States’ perspective reflected in the GHQ policies and archives · Inter-related analysis across Japan, North Korea, Russia, and the United States’ perspective on the Sakhalin · Comparative legal analysis on ethnic Koreans in Sakhalin for a more critical disclosure from the Japanese perspective The utmost need for the research on ethnic Koreans in Sakhalin is to congregate academics from different nations to collectively conduct a coherent search for practical approaches to seeking ways to promote permanent home return and to make policy suggestions for ethnic Koreans who lost their nationalities. There is an absolute need for Korea to have a coherent analysis. The Korean government claims that it was not in a situation to have direct foreign relationship with neighboring nations back in August 1948 when the government had just inaugurated for a new administration. The Korean government’s assertion on the application of the Japan-Korea basic agreement disclosed in the Article 2 Clause 2 does not give a convincing logic for gaining ethnic Koreans’ rights.