740.00119 Control (Japan)/11–2546: Telegram
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur to the Chief of Staff ( Eisenhower )44
[Received November 25, 1946—6 a.m.]
Subject is status and treatment of Koreans in Japan.
Press statements have been corrected by statement issued here by SCAP spokesman 20 November as follows:
“Recent misconceptions appearing in some sections of the press in regard to the status and treatment of Koreans in Japan require clarification.
From the earliest days of the occupation it has been the policy of the occupation authorities, pursuant to United States, and later, Allied policy decisions, to accord Koreans treatment as liberated people and do everything possible for their welfare. Steps were promptly taken to free from prison those held for political reasons and to liberate those who were virtually slave laborers. A program of repatriation was initiated and to date over 919,000 have been returned to their native land, not including more than 14,000 who illegally re-entered Japan and who have been repatriated a second time. There are now approximately 600,000 Koreans in Japan of which only approximately 75,000 have requested repatriation. The Japanese authorities have been issued strict orders to insure that Koreans are not discriminated against in any way and the occupation authorities are at constant pains to see that these directions are given full effect.
Koreans charged by police authorities with commission of crimes have had the additional protection provided by review of their cases by the occupation authorities. Prosecution has, of course, been instituted against Koreans as well as all other persons who engaged in illegal black market or other criminal activities.
Press statements to the effect that this headquarters recently issued an order that Korean nationals remaining in Japan after 15 December 1946 must obtain Japanese citizenship are entirely incorrect. The occupation authorities have no intention of interfering in any way with the fundamental rights of any person of any nationality in regard to retention, relinquishment or choice of citizenship. Under [Page 358] date of 16 October 1946 this headquarters issued a memorandum to the Japanese Government stating that repatriation of Koreans in Japan, who were formerly residents of Korea south of the 38 degrees north latitude, would be completed on or before 15 December 1946 except for those who have already refused to comply with reparation [repatriation?] plans. Koreans refusing repatriation and electing to remain in this country make their choice with full knowledge that continued residence in Japan subjects them to all appropriate local laws and regulations.
Discrimination in favor of Koreans in Japan which would exempt them from the observance of appropriate local laws and regulations would create a form of extraterritoriality. This would be without justification from any point of view and would be contrary to general Allied policy in the light of the action of various governments in the last few years in relinquishing the vestiges of extraterritorial jurisdiction in other countries.”
- Sent to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces in Korea; transmitted to the Department of State by the War Department.↩