Hiroshima holds ceremony honoring Korean victims of 1945 atomic blast
A memorial service in Hiroshima commemorated Korean victims of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing, unveiling a registry of 2,826 names.
On Wednesday, Hiroshima hosted a remembrance event for Korean victims of the 1945 atomic bombing, positioning the service beside the dedicated Korean victims' monument in the Peace Memorial Park. The organizers unveiled a registry documenting 2,826 Korean names, incorporating two newly confirmed deaths. Historical records indicate that a large Korean population lived in Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the time, many arriving as conscripted laborers or seeking work under Japan's colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula.
Rough estimates suggest around 70,000 Koreans were within range of the explosions, with about 40,000 believed to have died shortly thereafter, though precise numbers remain uncertain. The gathering occurred one day before the bombing's anniversary, highlighting the often-overlooked Korean experience of the tragedy.
Why it matters
It acknowledges a largely forgotten group of victims and deepens understanding of the bombing's broader human impact.
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