Modern Korea

MODERN KOREA By ANDREW J. GRAJDANZEV Research Associate Institute of Paajic Relations INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT INSTITUTE OF PACIFIC RELATIONS Publications Office, i East 54th Street, New York Distributed by THE JOHN DAY COMPANY New York 1944 This Book is Afanufactured under Wartime Conditions in Conformity with AH Government Regulations Con trolling the Use of Paper and Other Materials. Second Printing COPYRIGHT, 1944, BY INTFRNATIONAL SECRETARIAT, INSTITUTE OF PACIFIC RELATIONS PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE HADDON CRAFTSMEN, INC. AUTHORS PREFACE This book was begun when there was still complete silence about Korea on the international scene. It has been completed at a time when Korea has come into the news. The heads of the American, British and Chinese Governments at their meeting in Cairo in November 1913 expressed their determination that in due course Korea would become free and inde pendent. The day that happens this book, written about con temporary Korea, will become a book about her past I will be the first to rejoice at this change. In the meantime, however, the Japanese militarists are still supreme in Korea and some acquaintance with their deeds and methods there may be helpful to those who are taking an active part in the Pacific war and may have responsibilities in Japans present colonies after her defeat. I do not expect that all readers will agree with my conclusions at every point. In particular those who are easily impressed with the outward manifestations df material progress in Korea may feel that I have been too unsympathetic with Japans achievements. Others who under the influence of wartime emo tions, see the Japanese as sub-human monsters, maynot appreciate the record of such development as has occurred in Korea under Japanese rule. I have tried to present the con clusions as they seem to me to emerge from the record of Japanese reports and statistics and the impressions of foreign observers in Korea. But in any case I have presented the facts others who would draw different conclusions will have to take these facts into account. I must express my sincere gratitude to J. M. Bernstein, Pro fessor R. Hiig, Mr. W. L. Holland, Mr. Bruno Lasker, Dr. G. McCune, Dr. S. McCune, Professor N. Pcffer, Professor Russell Smith, Miss Frances Friedman and Miss Clara Spidell for their advice and help in many respects. Though the study has been made as part of the international research program of the Institute of Pacific Relations, I am solely responsible for the statement of facts, opinions and interpretations as given in the book. A j GRA j DANZEV New York, December 15, 1943 CONTENTS Page AUTHORS PREFACE v I. INTRODUCTION 3 II. KOREAS GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING 8 Area and Elevation 8 Inland Waters 9 Climate 14 III. HISTORY 23 The Protectorate 39 Political Movements after 1919 64 IV POPULATION 72 Distribution 74 Japanese in Korea 75 Urbanization 80 Emigration 81 V. AGRICULTURE IN KOREA 84 Introduction 84 The Structure of Korean Agriculture 86 Agricultural Policy ... 92 Increase of Area under Cultivation . 94 Kaden . . 95 Irrigation . . . . 95 Annual Frequency of Utilization 99 Improvements in Seed Material. . ... 100 Fertilizers .100 Agricultural Machinery and Implements. . . . 102 Livestock 103 The Social Stratification of the Korean Village. 105 Japanese Seizure of Korean Agricultural Land. . 105 Ownership and Tenancy 107 CONTENTS Page VI.FORESTRY AND FISHING 123 Forestry 123 Fishing 127 VII. POWER AND MINERAL RESOURCES 131 Power Resources of Korea and Their Exploitation 1 3 1 Water Power and Generation of Electricity. ... 133 Mining 1 Other Minerals 144 VIII. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT 1 8 Size, Character, and Distribution of Industry. . ...