“Korea’s Titanic”: The Tragic True Story Of A Doomed Ship Where Thousands Lost Their Lives
Content Warning
In light of the recent tragic incident involving OceanGate‘s “Titan” submarine, there has been renewed discussion surrounding the RMS Titanic. But were you aware that another devastating event took place involving a Japanese ship that was carrying thousands of Koreans?
On August 24, 1945, a naval transport vessel called Ukishima Maru left on a voyage to Busan to repatriate Koreans after World War II. The Japanese government estimated that 3,735 passengers were onboard, but witnesses argued that the number was closer to 10,000.
While sailing, a sudden explosion occurred on board, quickly sinking the ship.
According to Japanese government figures, 524 Koreans and 25 Japanese were killed. However, unofficial sources estimated that the death toll was as high as 6,000.
On one hand, the Japanese claimed that the ship unknowingly hit a mine that the Americans had planted in the area during the war. On the other hand, Koreans believed that it was a deliberate massacre instigated by the Japanese.
Through the years, several films and documentaries such as Souls Protest and The Ukishima Maru Massacre have been made about the topic, exploring the possibility that this was no accident.
However, even until this day, the true cause of Ukishima Maru’s sinking remains highly controversial. The innocent lives of those who died in the tragedy will never be forgotten.
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