politics

While making nice with U.S. and S Korea, North Korea slams Japan

39 Comments
By Eric Talmadge

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39 Comments
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Setting aside geopolitics, Kim-san is hitting that chanko nabe hard--want to see him in the sumo ring! Trump and Kim sporting mawashi, for all the marbles.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

While making nice with U.S. and S Korea, North Korea slams Japan

Sponsored by PRC.

14 ( +19 / -5 )

Yep, that’s politics!

Japan just has to accept their attitudes and behaviour in the past has given their neibours plenty of ammunition. These countries have long memories and little incentive to forget.

-7 ( +11 / -18 )

Japan has every right to be critical and negative! Its within shooting range of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction all at the disposal of a man who's unpredictability and ruthlessness is hardly cause for celebration!

While The North may have others fooled its charm offensive seems to have been stalled by Japan who is rightfully still asking those questions that others now want to ignore! Colonilaism has nothing to do with this, its nothing more than a tantrum by a man who hasn't managed to fool everyone on his list of gullible suspects!

Cosy photo ops and fake handshakes of peace can not disguise the fact that The Kim Jong Un is still a brutal dictator, who revels in ability to kill at whim, abduct nationals of other nations and have the fire power to back him up! His country starves while he rides around in luxury and privilege! He makes Japans imperial project there look realtivly civilised! But the South and the US would have you believe that, those things don't really matter any more and that "he's a nice guy really"!

Good for Japan in still standing up to the reality of the situation, don't waiver now, keep up the pressure!

8 ( +15 / -7 )

Anyone surprised?

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Because it is state-run, North Korea's media offers a good barometer of Pyongyang's political climate. 

Somewhat similar to Japan. Most of the "animosity" that the Japanese feel toward NK comes from the media.

Mind you the NK media got two things right: In the international arena Japan is impotent - it's been an obedient puppy dog since 1945 - and Kono is aptly described as a political charlatan.

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

"Public sentiment in Japan toward North Korea is generally negative"

Not only in Japan, also here in Europe people hate this fat boy there in NK.

And why should Japan pay reparations? The US never ever paid a dollar in Vietnam, Korea, South and Central America !

4 ( +11 / -7 )

That was time to see this news of KJU regime, a simple retorted statement to Abe government. That's completely political affair between those 2 dudes. K.J.U. gave tit for tat statement to S. Abe.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

That's why Japan can never trust the Koreas. They'll get stabbed in the back any chance they get with falsehoods about 'never' atoning for the past. Japan could pay North Korea trillions of dollars in reparations and they'd still complain Japan never atoned for the past. As what South Korea continues to do.

Last time I checked NK was the one that lobbed missiles I checked, a fact conveniently forgotten by the anti Japan crowd.

7 ( +14 / -7 )

On so many levels, this is what the Trump administration is giving us (as a global community).

The big eat the little fish. When your position becomes compromised you attack the weak.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

With the Japan under the big umbrella of the US it should just press protect itself because frankly there is not much China, the Koreas or any other nation can do to retaliate against Japan...Any attack towards Japan rightly brings in the US as its protector...time to prove it..

4 ( +6 / -2 )

It’s a desperate effort by a desperate dictator. Now that he’s signed the joint communique with Trump, Kim’s options are quite limited. The only thing he can do is slashing an enemy that he knows that never hits back.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Modern Japanese people like to stereotype other groups all the time. So, why are the Japanese government and people surprised that The Koreans and Chinese don't trust Japan. They are being stereotyped. It's karma for a country that never truly atoned. Japan is more sorry for losing than for the atrocities that it committed during the war.

These other countries never defeated Japan during the war. There were battles where they held off the Japanese, but they never won the war. The Americans defeated them, so these countries are itching for some kind of rematch to restore their honor. They will never accept an apology when the score is 1-0 Japan, and they won't attempt anything while the US is protecting them.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

@hjnice

And why should Japan pay reparations? The US never ever paid a dollar in Vietnam, Korea, South and Central America !

Technically, those were not wars, they were conflicts. Only the losers of wars that they initiate have to pay money back. If the country is the aggressor and wins then they get the spoils of war anyway. The US didn't go into the countries you listed as an invading force declaring war on them and murdering their people until the government.

You can't say the same thing for Japan! They were the losing aggressor.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

It’s a desperate effort by a desperate dictator.

The NK regime seems in good shape. Trump granted them time and legitimacy. Do you think he'll allow Japan to ruin his marquee signing?

"Japan is near to the Korean Peninsula. But Japan is a burglar that historically inflicted wars and misfortune and pain of colonial rule on Korea......and said Kono was a "political charlatan."

Harsh words. They've been emboldened. NK's criminal regime will pay someday I'm sure, but for now Japan just needs to sit tight. Any overt Japanese aggression towards NK will be met by nothing but disdain by SK, China and America.

Then again what do I know about this whole mess.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I think that it is now time for Japan to stop playing the victim, and to embrace this peace process.

After all, does'nt Heisei mean to acheive peace.

I peace process is a package for all, and not just Japan's own self interest.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@hjnice

The US never ever paid a dollar in Vietnam, Korea, South and Central America !

You need to do a little research about that. The US gave South Korea billions in aid after the war. The conflict was a draw, it's not America's fault that China and Russia didn't do the same for their side.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

The US never ever paid a dollar in Vietnam, Korea, South and Central America !

You need to do a little research about that. The US gave South Korea billions in aid after the war. The conflict was a draw, it's not America's fault that China and Russia didn't do the same for their side.

Plus, Korea was a war that North Korea started by invading South Korea! If anything, it's North Korea that should compensate

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Look, I'm all for the government of Japan to formally and officially apologize to the North Korean people and compensate them for the colonial period and WW2.

However, North Korea isn't doing anyone favors by being so hostile towards Japan. Look at South Korea, with all the money and apologies given, the government still brainwashes it's citizens at a young age (like China) to hate Japanese. There's a huge difference between teaching the past and learning from it, and then exploiting it to engage in irrational hatred.

What's the point in apologizing and compensating, when in a few years they'll continue to falsely claim that you did neither?

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Plus, Korea was a war that North Korea started by invading South Korea! If anything, it's North Korea that should compensate

Since neither side 'won' in Korea, it's kind of a 'back to your corners and treat your own wounds' situation. Each side takes care of their own, which is what the US did for South Korea. Russia and China obviously didn't feel the same way, but that was not the responsibility of the US to take care of. Had the US won the conflict, you can be sure the North would be a very different place now.

Normally it's the victor that has a responsible to help to rebuild. Look what the US did for Japan after WWII. To say the US doesn't pay anything is a ludicrous notion.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I agree 100% Japan should pay reparations forever - "Japan is near to the Korean Peninsula. But Japan is a burglar that historically inflicted wars and misfortune and pain of colonial rule on Korea," it said before getting to North Korea's often repeated demand: "Japan should make a sincere apology and reparation for the past crimes."

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

This has been the game plan for the DPRK for a while now. A united US, ROK, and Japan is a threat to their stability and separating them by any means necessary is the DPRK's goal.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The cunningness is impressive... this is what it takes to keep an entire country of people enslaved for nearly 7 decades

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I agree 100% Japan should pay reparations forever - "Japan is near to the Korean Peninsula. But Japan is a burglar that historically inflicted wars and misfortune and pain of colonial rule on Korea," it said before getting to North Korea's often repeated demand: "Japan should make a sincere apology and reparation for the past crimes."

Here we go again. I swear you're a broken record. Because Japan is the only country that has ever harmed another country. According to your logic, every country on earth should be paying reparations to every other country forever. At some point, somebody has hurt somebody else all over the Earth.

Although I suppose your logic only applies to Japan, since you seem to hate them so much. Why are you even here? I know Russia uses bots to troll message boards, I didn't know North Korea did too.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

SK talks ut gives a little money, Trump talks but gave no money but promised much money that will come from Japan. Japan gives no money, Fatboy got angry

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Abe has painted himself in a corner on this issue. His blatant propaganda on the kidnapping going on for over then years now (issue is over 40 years old) and his

constantly targeting NK as tool to change the constitution have done him in. One visit to NK by Trump wiped out all that fake news by Abe. Japan deserves to be sidelined because it has allowed Abe to be so short sighted and seemingly not interested in the best interests of the future of his country. Fighting a battle 40 years old is simply ridiculous and other leaders think of Japan as a joke for making this such a big issue. Of course, when it comes to kidnapping 500,000 Koreans back in the day there is only the sound of crickets. And the fact that the kids and grandkids of those victims are still not Japanese citizens is shameful. Only hope Japan has is to vote out the LDP or the LDP light parties. Yeah, right, like that will happen. Expect more of the same and for Japan to slowly sink into oblivion as its economic numbers decrease due to population decline.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

His blatant propaganda on the kidnapping going on for over then years now (issue is over 40 years old)

Fighting a battle 40 years old is simply ridiculous

If it actually happened, it's not propaganda. If comfort women are still an issue, there's no Japanese kidnappings can't be. They both happened decades ago and aren't resolved in the eyes of their governments.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Edit: there's no reason Japanese kidnappings can't be

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Somewhat similar to Japan. Most of the "animosity" that the Japanese feel toward NK comes from the media.

Kind of like how charcoal black and off white are similar. eh? Each has a touch of the other.

Seriously, blurring distinctions to this point is meaningless and dishonest. It's like saying nothing is different from anything else. If you are proposing the Japanese media and mindset are similar to North Korea's you pretty much lose all credibility right there. It shows a visceral dislike for Japan, and a complete lack of concern for the North Korea people who are suffering.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Yet, the Japanese press does show time and time again that North Korea is the aggressor.

However, many people there are imprisoned,deprived and malnourished.

It is the learship and a totalitarian regime that should be the focus (sic) not the demonization of the North Korean people.

Abe’s manical pursuit to bolster military might and first strike legality needs to always paint North Korea as the enemy.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Silvafan,

Technically, those were not wars, they were conflicts.

Those who suffered, who took a bullet or who lost those they love probably wouldn't see the difference.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

According to your logic, every country on earth should be paying reparations to every other country forever. At some point, somebody has hurt somebody else all over the Earth.

Every country regime group individual that harms another should pay reparations forever in my perfect world of peace harmony and justice yes that includes the USA.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

perfect dream world that is, mankind is too flawed a species to ever live in peace

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If it actually happened, it's not propaganda. If comfort women are still an issue, there's no Japanese kidnappings can't be. They both happened decades ago and aren't resolved in the eyes of their governments.

Just because it happened does not make it immune from propaganda usage. That is a shallow approach to the issue. And comparing the comfort issue with the kidnapping issue is also not reasonable, the former involved hundreds of thousands of which some sexual slaves are still alive and protesting. The kidnapping involved two dozen and none of them may be alive now for all we know. Very different situations. And of course no comment on the mass kidnapping of Koreans during the occupation of Korea by Japan. That number is 500,000. not a couple dozen.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

The third fatty has to have somebody to be angry with or the population won't know what to do. Japan is the perfect target.

I can't wait to see the pudgy un dye his hair rusty blonde, or whatever that is.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@macv

Every country regime group individual that harms another should pay reparations forever in my perfect world of peace harmony and justice yes that includes the USA.

So in your 'perfect world of peace harmony and justice', no country should be allowed to ever move forward from mistakes made in the past and everyone should hold grudges towards anyone who slighted them, expecting monetary gain in perpetuity.

Sorry, that's not peace and harmony, but not surprisingly, it does sounds very North Korean.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@extanker perhaps my idealistic dream would be an effective deterrent no other attempts have worked so far DPRK admittedly has atrocious human rights record that must be abolished perpetrators punished victims given justice just as many thousands of the 2.3+ million in USA prisons where drugs rapes murders occur daily.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@extanker So in your 'perfect world of peace harmony and justice', no country should be allowed to evermove forward from mistakes made in the past and everyone should hold grudges towards anyone who slighted them, expecting monetary gain in perpetuity.

I refuse to allow you or anyone to put words I've not spoken into my mouth maybe that is ok in your book of tanker etiquette but it isn't in mine.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

zurcroniumJuly 24  07:11 am JST

Japan deserves to be sidelined because it has allowed Abe to be so short sighted and seemingly not interested in the best interests of the future of his country. Fighting a battle 40 years old is simply ridiculous and other leaders think of Japan as a joke for making this such a big issue. Of course, when it comes to kidnapping 500,000 Koreans back in the day there is only the sound of crickets. 

Nobody "kidnapped" 500,000 people from Korea. Don't confuse the recruitment of comfort Women and the forced labor force with snatching a kid off the streets.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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