In Search of the Truth About Gunkanjima: Former Residents Who Continue to Fight Against Media Lies

The image of Gunkanjima as a “hell island” has spread around the world, driven largely by the South Korean media. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that many of the photographs and testimonies presented as evidence of forced mobilization were, in fact, unrelated to the Hashima Coal Mine during the wartime period. The ”Association of Former Hashima Islanders for the Pursuit of Historical Truth” has spent many years investigating and verifying this misinformation. In particular, the Association has pointed out that the underground mining footage shown in NHK’s 1955 documentary The Greenless Island ("Island without Greenery") could not have been filmed at Hashima, based on several technical inconsistencies. Following persistent inquiries by former island residents, NHK acknowledged that it was unable to verify that the footage had been filmed at Hashima and issued an apology. Drawing on records and evidence concerning the structure and operation of the Hashima Coal Mine—one of the most advanced undersea coal mines of its time—this documentary reveals the historical reality of Hashima during the wartime period. We invite you to watch the continuing struggle of the former island residents as they challenge false and misleading media narratives.

*This video was produced with funds raised through a crowdfunding campaign conducted in 2025.


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