Book uncovers confidential files on Korea-Russia ties

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff reporter

Some secrets are difficult to keep, and this book reveals confidential government materials to reinterpret the dynamic evolution of the relations between Korea and Russia.

Rhee Tshang-chu, a distinguished professor at St. Petersburg State University, presents ``The Truth History of Korea-Russia Relations'' (KGF Publishing House, The New Era: 952 pp.) in time for the 20th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties.

The curious title reflects the author's attempt to shed light on hitherto unknown details as it chronicles the tumultuous times leading up to and during the Cold War, from the tragic nature of the Russian branch of the Korean Diaspora to communist revolutions that altered the course of northeast Asian geopolitics. Korea-Russia relations are complex and have developed with moments of both harmonious cooperation and intense confrontation, the book says.

The two geographically close countries have individually undergone great changes, which are reflected by the different names they have called themselves since the late 19th century. The Korean peninsula was proclaimed the Korean Empire (1897-1910) during the latter years of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), until it was divided into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (north) and the Republic of Korea (south). Its neighbor on the other hand was called Imperial Russia until it became the Soviet Union and is now the Russian Federation.

For Koreans Russia seems to be a place that is very far yet close, since it is where the first Korean deportation took place. The independence movement against colonial Japan was also based there, and it is where the National Independence army and the Chosun (Joseon) Communist Party were formed. It is also the home of the socialist ideology which was adopted by North Korea since the brink of the Cold War, but it is also where ethnic Koreans suffered during a forced deportation under Stalin's rule and compulsory conscription by Japan.

The author has compiled his extensive research on the subject at universities and research centers across Russia and the United States. Over the course of his work he retrieved 21,121 confidential documents on the Korean peninsula and Koreans, and these files had remained undisclosed for the past two decades in government archives in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Chita, Tomsk, Irkutsk, the KGB, the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Rhee's historical account may come as a surprise, particularly as he presents his interpretation of what truly happened when the line was drawn between the Koreas at the 38th parallel. It is widely accepted that Korea was divided under the process of occupation by the U.S. and Russia based on the truce line after World War II. He argues however that many details regarding the initiatives of the two powers are wrong, since they are based on a one-sided account drawn by anti-communist and right-wing state-hired scholars under the pro-U.S. dictatorial government.

The U.S.' connection to the Korean division was aimed at containing the power of the Soviet Union and spread of communism, rather than promoting liberty in a unified Korean government. Russia on the other hand, entered the war against Japan to restore its pride from being defeated in the Russo-Japanese War, rather than for the purpose of establishing socialist ideals in Korea, the author argues.

The Soviet Union dubbed the Korean War (1950-53) the Joseon Liberation War but did not launch a military administration in North Korea and adopted a middle-of-the-road policy. The U.S. on the other side makes no mention of liberating Korea from imperial Japan in the documents used during the process of occupying Korea. Rather, Rhee says, it suppressed left-wing groups just as one would do to a defeated state and pushed forth the division of the Koreas as it enforced a pro-American administration ― all the while conspiring with sympathizers of colonial Japan. In addition, Rhee says, Japan had been closely involved in the entire process.

Moreover in 1947, the Soviet Union insisted that the two states withdraw troops from Korea, but the U.S. did not agree. Rhee's findings from the secret files also suggest that the Americans, rather than the Soviets, took the initiative to assume occupation of Korea.

For more information including to purchase the book call (02)730 7530 or email press@koreanglobalfoundation.org.