DMZ Empire Files

As I research and write my book DMZ EMPIRE, I’ve been delving into historical documents in the National Archives near Washington, D.C., the JFK, Carter and other presidential libraries, the Protestant missionary archives at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia, and my own large collection of material collected over my journalism career. These documents will appear here.

Asia, DMZ Empire Files, LDP Japan, ROK

The Rise of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces

Due to its defeat in World War II, Japan's "great imperial army" was dissolved. Immediately after the outbreak of the Korean war in 1950, however, General Douglas MacArthur, Commander-in-chief of the occupation army, ordered the Japanese government to establish a national police reserve force. Here is the story of Japan's Self-Defense Forces and their special relationship to South Korea. From the AMPO Magazine archives, 1979, with an update on how the SDF was funded.

Tim Shorrock
January 9, 2023
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Asia, DMZ Empire Files

“Japanese Capitalists Left Koreans a Few Economic Crumbs”

This document found in the National Archives provided an astute analysis of how Japanese colonialism warped Korean society in essential ways. It was probably written by a New Deal-type economist originally assigned to Japan by General MacArthur's occupation forces.

Tim Shorrock
October 18, 2022