The Role of US Army Korean Linguists in Deciphering Japanese Codes

The US Army has a long history of employing linguists to decipher enemy codes and communications, including the cryptic messages sent by Japan during World War II. One of the most critical groups of linguists was those who specialized in Korean languages, particularly those with expertise in Japanese.

In the early 1930s, as the US Navy's OP-20-G and the Army's Signals Intelligence Service began to crack Japanese cryptosystems, they faced a second challenge: the underlying language itself. The Japanese language has been notoriously difficult for Westerners to master due to its complex writing systems, grammatical structures, and cultural nuances.

Korean linguists played a vital role in helping US cryptanalysts decipher Japanese messages. These experts were well-versed in Korean languages, including Hangul, the native alphabet used in Korea, as well as Hanja, which consists of Chinese characters adopted into Korean. Their knowledge of Korean grammar and syntax allowed them to identify patterns and structures within Japanese texts.

In addition to their linguistic skills, Korean linguists also possessed a deep understanding of Japanese culture and customs, which was essential for accurately interpreting the nuances of Japanese communication. They were able to recognize subtle differences in tone and context that might otherwise be lost on Western-trained cryptanalysts.

The US Army's Signals Intelligence Service (SIS) recognized the importance of Korean linguists in deciphering Japanese codes and actively recruited native Korean speakers with expertise in Japanese. These linguists were stationed at various military bases across Asia, including Korea, Japan, and China, where they worked alongside American cryptanalysts to crack enemy codes.

One notable example of the crucial role played by US Army Korean linguists is the work done by OP-20-G's Laurance Safford in modifying typewriters for intercept operators. Safford's innovative approach allowed American cryptanalysts to decipher Japanese messages more efficiently, and his methods remain an important part of cryptography history.

Today, the US military continues to employ linguists with expertise in Korean languages, including those who have served as Cryptologic Linguists (MOS 98G). These dedicated professionals play a vital role in supporting national security by providing critical language skills and cultural knowledge to military operations around the world.

In conclusion, the contributions of US Army Korean linguists to the deciphering of Japanese codes during World War II cannot be overstated. Their linguistic expertise, cultural understanding, and adaptability played a significant part in breaking enemy codes and ultimately helping the Allies win the war.

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