The objects of this study are to find out (1) real situation of the food supply in prison under Imperial Government of Japan more cleary (historical meaning) and (2) which might help in understanding wrong present food consumption patterns in Korea which causes environmental as well as health problems.
It is generally known that the length of the Japanese occupation for Korea is 36 years. However, it is concluded in this study that it was longer (70 years; from 1875 to 1945 from when Japanese Army attacked and occupied Yungjongdo and Kanghwado island to the time when they were defeated on World WarⅡ.)
Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910 then the Imperial Government of Japan dismissed the Korea Army, controlled the Office of Justice and the management of prison by force. Since then about 50% of all land was fell into Japance Government ownership and 80% of Korean farmers became as tenant.
After this change, Korea farmers were forced to pay extremely high rent (up to 80% of its harvest). Forced immigration, low price procurement of grain by Japanese government up to more than 30%of their production, was practiced. Accordingly, the food situation of Korean farmers became miserable, which may caused more violations of Imperial Japanese Law. Malnutrition, epidemic diseases, mortality rate of infants soared and average life expectancy shortened to 20-30 years old.
This was the period of World Economic Crises and Food Crises in Japan. It was said then that if one Japanese comes to Korea then 200 Koreans will starved to death.
Meanwhile, Proconsul Bureau of Chosun requested to the Department of Medicine, the Imperial University of Kyungsung to survery food supply situation of Koreans in prison throughout Korean
Objectives of the survey then was not only to find out scientifically whether it is agreeable in maintaining prisoner´s health and also find out the possibility to save food during food crisis.
Survey was started from 1923 and ended in 1945, and it focussed on prisoners in the Seodaemoon Prison. This report is the outcome of the first survey.
They concluded that the food supplied was nutritionally(had)no problem, in compare with those of workers in the factory, students in the dormitory in Japan and with those of prisoners in Taiwan. France and Germarny. Amount of grain supplied were different according to their work lord and was divided into 9 different levels. Total grain was consisted of 50% millet, 30% soybean and 20% indica rice(variety).
However, there were no difference in the amount of supply of side dishes between work groups. For the highest working group group, 3280g of of boiled grain per day was supplied to make stomach full but as a side dishes, salty fermented bean paste, fermented fish and salty soups, etc was supplied.
Deficiency of animal protein were observed, however, high intake of soybean may possibly caused animal protein deficiency problem.
On the contrary, the intake of water soluble vitamins were insufficient but the level of calcium and iron intake seems to be sufficient, however, imbalance of intake of nutrition may caused low absorbation rate which might caused malnutrition.
High intake of dietary fiber and low intake of cholesterol may possibly prohibited them from so called modern disease but may caused the defect in disease resistancy againist epidemics and other traditional disease. Over intake of salt(20-30g per day)was observed. Surveyors who attended in this survey, mentioned that the amount of food in take may nutritionally be sufficient enough but the quality of food(and possibly, the taste of food)were like that of animal feed.
For the officials who received this report might consider that considering the war situation and food crisis. the supply situation of food in the prison may considered to be good enough(because they are not starving)
But as a Korean who studied this report, one feel extremely pity about those situation because(situation of) those period were very harsh under the Imperial Law and keeping the Law by Korean were almost impossible, therefore, about one third adult violated the Law and were put jail. And they were treated like animals.
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