관동대학살에 대한 재일본조선인의 대응 -재동경이재조선동포위문반을 중심으로-

Abstract

The current article aimed to determine how the Koreans in Japan counteracted after Kantou Massacre at that time, and to identify the characteristics of it specifically focusing on the perspective of ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities(在東京罹災朝鮮同胞慰問班)’. The previous study on the movement of ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities’ was conducted in accordance with the identification of the number of victims. So, the basic information on the organization, relationship with the colonial authority, and the results of investigation are insufficiently demonstrated. ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities’ had close relationship with ‘the Association of Relief for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from Calamities(東京地方罹災朝鮮人救濟會)’ which was organized in Joseon in September 1923. Sang Hyeop Lee of Dong-A Ilbo went over to Japan the day after the earthquake, got involved in the formation of ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities, and contributed to the operations of ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities’ by delivering the raised collection from ‘the Association of Relief for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from Calamities’. ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities’ tried to achieve two main objectives, so as ‘the Association of Relief for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from Calamities’ of Joseon, which were to aid survived Koreans in the devastated area and to investigate on the massacre. It seemed as ‘the Association of Relief for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from Calamities’ was oppressed by the colonial authority and had to succeed the activity to ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities’. The relief work of ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities’ was carried out with the cooperation of colonial authority. It was related to the situation that the colonial authority had to consider their international public image, and ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities’ took advantage of it. On the other hand, the investigation was conducted under surveillance, suppression, and concealment. There were difficulties in two months of investigation on the massacre of Koreans, but it was able to present the results at ‘The Great Meeting of Koreans in Tokyo(東京朝鮮人大會)’ in December 1923. In the presentation, ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities’ determined the number of victims, stated a groundless rumor as the reason for massacre, and clearly identified that Japanese government was responsible for it. Furthermore, as recognized from the previous study, they issued a leaflet named ‘虐殺’ to inform the truth abroad. Thus it implies that comprehending ‘the Consolation group for Korean Victims in Tokyo suffering from calamities’ not only as an organization that investigated the number of victims, but also as fact-finding body is necessary.