On the basis of statistical and archival materials, the article reveals the content and scope of the monstrous crime of Soviet totalitarianism in the 1930s-1940s - the tragedy of entire nations caused by forceful deportation. The reasons for ethnic deportations are considered, false stereotypes about the deportation of Koreans, the scale of human losses are identified. Changes in the size and composition of the Korean population in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are traced.