The Hidden Motives Behind Japan Building a Brewery in Yeongdeungpo Instead of Incheon

Introduction

During the Japanese colonial era, there was fierce competition among Korean cities like Gyeongseong (now Seoul), Pyeongyang, and Incheon to host beer factories. This article explores the hidden motives behind Japan's decision to build a brewery in Yeongdeungpo instead of Incheon, shedding light on historical events and strategic considerations.

The Early Days of Beer in Korea

The exact date when Koreans first tasted beer remains unclear. A photograph from 1871 shows a lower-ranking official, Kim Jin-seong, holding a beer bottle, but it's uncertain if he was the first Korean to drink beer. After the opening of Korea's ports following the Treaty of Ganghwa in 1876, Japanese beers like Sapporo, Kirin, and Yebisu started making their way into Korea. By the late 19th century, Japanese settlers in Korea introduced beer, with Sapporo being among the first brands.

The Rise of Beer Consumption

Beer consumption in Korea began to grow significantly after the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905. Japanese companies like Sapporo, Kirin, and Yebisu officially imported their beers, targeting Japanese residents and the upper class in Korea. Kirin Beer was particularly aggressive in its marketing efforts, establishing a direct sales company, Meijiya, in 1908.

By the 1920s, beer had become well-known among Koreans. Beer advertisements appeared in newspapers, and beer was even featured in serialized novels. Reports of beer-related incidents began to surface, indicating the drink's growing popularity.

The Competition to Host a Brewery

In the early 1920s, rumors spread that Japan planned to build a brewery in Korea. Multiple cities, including Gyeongseong and Pyeongyang, vied for the opportunity. Each city had its own advantages and disadvantages. Pyeongyang was considered due to its ample land and low property prices but faced issues like flooding and inadequate electricity supply.

Yeongdeungpo emerged as a strong candidate due to its proximity to Gyeongseong, easy access to electricity, and abundant clean water from the Han River. Despite these advantages, Incheon aggressively lobbied to host the brewery, forming a "Beer Factory Attraction Committee" and launching a media campaign to highlight its suitability.

The Decision and Its Implications

Despite Incheon's efforts, the final decision favored Yeongdeungpo. The main reasons included strategic considerations, such as Yeongdeungpo's location, which was better suited to serve as a logistics base for Japan's continental ambitions. The Han River provided ample water supply, and the area was more favorable for industrial development.

In 1931, Japan established Manchukuo, using Korea as a logistical base for further incursions into mainland China. Cities like Yeongdeungpo became critical for producing war supplies, including beer, which was also a significant revenue source through taxes.

The Establishment of Breweries in Yeongdeungpo

The competition didn't end with the initial decision. In the early 1930s, two major Japanese beer companies, Dai-Nippon Beer (which later became Sapporo) and Kirin, established breweries in Yeongdeungpo. These breweries began operations in the mid-1930s, producing beer under the names Chosun Beer and Showa Kirin Beer.

Conclusion

The establishment of breweries in Yeongdeungpo was not merely about meeting the growing demand for beer in Korea. It was part of Japan's broader strategy to use Korea as a base for its continental expansion. The breweries also played a role in Japan's economic plans, serving as a source of tax revenue and contributing to the war effort.

Today, the legacy of these breweries lives on, with major Korean beer brands like Hite Jinro and OB Beer tracing their origins back to these early establishments. While the breweries themselves have disappeared, their historical significance remains a part of Korea's beer heritage.

 

 

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