Massacre or Genocide? Redefining the Sook Ching
Loading...
Date
2020-08
Authors
Singsank, Lauralei
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Sook Ching is a Chinese term meaning “purge through cleansing.” Operation Sook Ching
took place in Singapore from February 21 to March 4, 1942. It was a military operation
carried out by the Japanese with the intent of executing anti-Japanese Chinese men
between the ages of 18 and 50. Ultimately, it is impossible to know exactly how many
people were killed; the official Japanese figure is 5,000, while unofficial estimates reach
as high as 50,000. Men were called into screening centers where disorganized screening
procedures determined if they were anti-Japanese. The Sook Ching’s legacy lives on as
one of the greatest tragedies in Singapore’s history.
The intent of this paper is to argue for a redefinition of the Sook Ching as a genocide
rather than a massacre. The cornerstones of this research are the United Nations’
Genocide Convention and contemporary sources discussing the crime. This research is
important because it sets a precedent of accountability, as well as acknowledging the
crimes the Japanese committed during the Second World War. This thesis will discuss the
Sook Ching, its legacy, and the steps required to address the incident and right the
wrongs that occurred. It will also examine the racial and political environment that set
the stage for the tragedy, as well as the scars it left behind.
Description
Keywords
Sook Ching, United Nations Genocide Convention, Singapore, World War II