Based on official records, this article examines postwar repatriation of Koreans from Japan, revealing that many ultimately chose to remain in Japan despite available repatriation options.

2017-05-03
The following is a continuation of the previous section.
After the end of the war, approximately 75 percent of Koreans residing in Japan repatriated to Korea, and when the process is examined in stages, the situation was as follows.
First, between August 1945 and March 1946, approximately 900,000 Koreans wishing to return were repatriated to Korea by vessels provided by the Japanese government, and approximately 500,000 returned through individual repatriation, making a total of approximately 1.4 million.
In this repatriation process, demobilized soldiers, military employees, and mobilized laborers were given priority treatment.
Next, in March 1946, based on directives from the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, the Japanese government surveyed approximately 650,000 remaining Koreans regarding their desire to repatriate.
The result showed that approximately 500,000 expressed a wish to return.
However, those who actually repatriated to Korea amounted to only about 16 percent, approximately 80,000 people.
The remainder chose of their own accord to remain in Japan.
To be continued.