Shipping activities and marine education during the colonial era in Korea, 1910–1945

Abstract

As Korea's economy has developed swiftly over the past few decades, its shipping industry has grown so rapidly that in 2021 it was the seventh largest ship-controlling country in the world. Some have argued that Japanese colonial rule caused the rapid growth of Korea's economy. This article analyses shipping activities and marine education from 1910 to 1945 to confirm the origin of the modern shipping industry in Korea. After reviewing the arguments on the role of colonial rule in the development of shipping during the colonial period, the article reconstructs the development process of the Chosen Yusen Corporation as the sole ocean-going shipping company during the colonial period. The role of marine education is then discussed in relation to cultivating human capital for the shipping industry. This article might help with understanding that colonial rule itself cannot bring about the development of a former colonial country after liberation.