Japanese Colonial Period
1939년제도
Cultural Erasure Policy and Forced Name Changes (Soshi-kaimei)
Under the banner of 'imperialization,' Japan banned the Korean language, coerced Shinto shrine worship, and forced Koreans to adopt Japanese-style surnames. It represented the height of colonial rule aimed at erasing Korean national identity.
Key developments
- 황국신민화Forced Recitation of Imperial Subject Oath
Japan forced Koreans to recite an oath pledging loyalty to the Japanese emperor.
- 1938년Korean Language Education Abolished
In 1938, Korean language was downgraded from required to optional and effectively banned in schools.
- 1939년Forced Name Changes
From 1940, Japan forced Koreans to adopt Japanese-style family names under the Soshi-kaimei policy.
- 신사참배Forced Shrine Worship
Students and civilians were forced to worship at Shinto shrines to erase Korean national identity through state religion.
- 전시 동원Forced Labor, Conscription, and Comfort Women
During the Pacific War, Japan forcibly mobilized Koreans as laborers, soldiers, and comfort women.