Uncovering the Concealed Chronicles of Korean Survivors in the Aftermath of the Hiroshima Bombing
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In the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, tens of thousands of Koreans—many forcibly conscripted as laborers—were present and suffered heavily. Despite making up a significant portion of the casualties, Korean survivors faced historical neglect, discrimination, and ongoing health issues related to radiation exposure.
On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb named 'Little Boy' was dropped on Hiroshima, resulting in the immediate deaths of an estimated 70,000 Koreans, accounting for approximately 15–20% of deaths in Hiroshima and Nagasaki[1][2][3][5]. During the chaos and destruction, emergency workers often prioritised Japanese victims, sometimes outright ignoring Koreans, especially if they spoke Korean[1].
After the war, Korean survivors faced social stigma and discrimination in both Japan and Korea. Many hid their victim status to avoid ostracism, and for decades, their suffering and health complications remained largely unacknowledged by authorities in Japan as well as South Korea[3][2]. The Korean government only passed legislation in 2017 to investigate survivors’ conditions and provide some support—but crucially, this law excludes descendants of survivors, despite higher rates of illness and disability observed among the second generation[1][2].
The delayed and insufficient recognition has intensified the survivors' struggles to obtain apologies, compensation, and adequate medical care. Survivors continue to call for accountability from multiple parties: the United States, for dropping the bombs; Japan, for colonial rule and neglect; and South Korea, for inadequate support and investigation of their ongoing health issues[2][1].
The story of Korean survivors from Hiroshima is evolving, empowering them in their ongoing quest for justice and recognition. Today's Korean survivors are grappling with physical ailments and a lack of governmental recognition for their plight.
Lee Jung-soon, an 88-year-old survivor, recalls the moment the bomb fell: "I was on the street when the bomb dropped. I felt a strong wind and saw a flash of light. Then, I couldn't see anything." Many survivors describe the immediate aftermath as horrific, with bodies left in devastating conditions[6].
Many Korean survivors returned to their homeland after the war and faced further ostracism and prejudice. The stigma faced by Korean survivors returning home contributed to their silence about their trauma. Shim notes that the community's perception of Korean survivors as victims of a 'curse' deepened their struggles[7].
Survivors and their descendants struggle with significant physical and psychological health issues. Han Jeong-sun, a second-generation survivor, faces both personal health challenges and societal stigma. Shim Jin-tae, another survivor, expresses frustration over lack of recognition and justice[8].
Officials from Hiroshima have visited Hapcheon to commemorate the victims, but advocates stress that acknowledgment and accountability are necessary for true peace. Junko Ichiba emphasises that "Peace without apology is meaningless," indicating the deep-seated need for Japan to acknowledge its historical actions fully[4].
As the world remembers Hiroshima, attention must also turn to these individuals to ensure their sacrifices and challenges are recognised and addressed. Their story, long overshadowed by broader narratives of the bombings, remains a poignant example of the intersection of colonialism, war trauma, and systemic injustice[1][2][3].
- The intersection of science and health-and-wellness is highlighted in the ongoing health issues faced by Korean survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, which were caused by radiation exposure.
- The political landscape, both in Japan and South Korea, has played a significant role in the historical neglect and ongoing discrimination experienced by these survivors, particularly in the form of inadequate support and investigation of their health issues.
- The general news media has a responsibility to bring attention to the ongoing struggles of these Korean survivors, as their story serves as a poignant example of the intersection of war-and-conflicts, mental-health issues, and systemic injustice.
