I remember speaking with this really old korean guy who cleaned the air traffic control tower. He had been part of a work detail at one point. The japanese shot the korean supervisor and assigned it to another guy. He refused and was shot. The guy I spoke with was then given the choice of being supervisor or he could refuse.
Not surprised. Many were casually executed by Japanese troops for the most minor of infractions.
This occurred going the other way as well after WWII in order to keep the Communists from gaining any more ‘minds’ south of the 38th Parallel (rightfully so).
I recall reading about how this viseral anti-Communist mentality lingered on so much so that the NVA had very real fears of engaging ROK troops during the Vietnam War. It’s one thing to be occupied by another nation/culture (Japan). To have your own, brainwashed into hating you for your political beliefs, is a whole other story.