S Korean cities suspend exchange programs with Japan

Busan, which is South Korea's second-biggest city, said Sunday it will suspend administrative exchanges with Japan including its officials' visits to the neighboring country until the bilateral relationship improves.

This statement alone exposes the South Korean inability to comprehend that it is exactly this kind of behavior and action, to stop cultural exchanges, that will guarantee that the bilateral relationship will never improve. In fact it will make it worse. We are a step away from property damage and injury to Japanese nationals in South Korea and terrorist acts against Japan.

There is no rational explanation for South Korean anger because Japan is removing them from the special treatment they have received since 2004. It is not a sanction or a boycott, and Japanese exports will continue at the same speed as those to Taiwan and China. Clearly, South Korea feels that it is "entitled" to special favors from Japan because of WWII issues.

Dear Korea,

Thank You! The more you scream. The more you shout. The more Japanese cars you destroy. The more Japanese flags you burn. The more the Japanese will flock to Abe and the LDP and Nippon kaigi. The more the Japanese will visit Yasukuni shrine. The more the Japanese will want to drop article 9.

Was I right, or was I right?

The burning of hinomaru flags.

Expect demonstrations to get worse, including physical destruction of Japanese properties.

There are South Korean citizens who are equally concerned about how their own government is acting in this nonsense, but many of them blindly follow the kool-aid their government keeps brainwashing them with (Japan is always wrong, blah blah).

@Ex_Res

South Korea does not have the luxary of having an army of apologists, waundering around

No, but it does have a couple of generations of overseas Koreans, especially in the US (SK), who depending on their ages, either lean to the right and were mercinaries for Uncle Sam or, in the case of the young, who have no idea of conditions back home and tend to romanticize them.

Japan must stop denying WW2 atrocities, 

Japan does not deny the events of WWII. It's just that recent, in depth historical analysis has found the propaganda version to be untrue time and time again.

Boy, these sure are all the same tired old memes being wheeled out time and time again ... "Bad Abe" ... "Rising Sun equal Swastika/Dixie Flag" ... "No apologies" ... "WWII atrocities" ... "Please send us more money".

Are these guys working to a script?

If South Korea was a girl friend, she'd be one of those needy unstable psycho gold diggers who kept threatening to cut themselves or fake commit suicide every time you tried to dump them.

The problem is, Japan does not even get any love when she's dipping into its wallet. It's all just abuse, abuse, abuse.

 Japan could do more on a human level.

Do you want a hug? That's on a human level.

Or do you want more money?

Nope the last "final and Irreversible agreement" was in 2015.

@Mister X

And maybe the media should stop showing pictures on a daily basis of a very small group of South Korean citizens burning Japanese flags and photos because it only serves the purpose of riling up people against each other for no good reason.

You seem to have no idea on what the Japanese media and books are doing for S. Koreans everyday. Please refer to:

https://youtu.be/Mcx4hpBowtA

https://youtu.be/ieAqlgCzAXg

@Mister XToday  

Japan is very aware of the atrocities it committed prior and during WWII and is punished accordingly by the international community amongst whom former colonial powers whose crimes in the past remained largely scot-free.

No. Japan does not teach their atrocities during the WWII in school.

The problem lies in Japanese history education in school, not in Korean schools.

For example,

Absent is a complete record of her imperial ambitions in the neighboring countries of China and Korea, of her provocation and slaughter in the former, and subjugation of the latter.

But old habits are hard to break. Effective authority seeped back to the Ministry in the 1950s and '60s as it took increasing advantage of a textbook screening law passed in 1949 for the original purpose of preventing the inclusion of ultranationalist indoctrination in teaching material. Turning this authority on its head, the Ministry eventually applied it to weaken textbooks' descriptions of Japan's wartime deeds. The Ministry also started. to supply local school districts with textbooks free of charge. Today, the local boards are free to decline a particular text, but only from a selection approved by Tokyo. The national government remains firmly in control of the material taught throughout the land. 

https://www.heritage.org/asia/report/the-pearl-harbor-anniversary-japan-still-says-dont-blame-me

University student Mayako Shibata told McClatchyDC in 2014 she "can’t remember any class where she learned why the attack on Pearl Harbor happened. 

https://www.ranker.com/list/how-pearl-harbor-is-taught-in-japan/kellen-perry

After decades of obfuscation, Japan stated today for the first time that bungling within the Foreign Ministry 53 years ago was responsible for Japan's failure to declare war on the United States before launching its attack on Pearl Harbor.

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/21/world/japan-admits-it-bungled-notice-of-war-in-41.html

Are the Japanese people truly represented by the ultra-rightists who drive with either military music or hate-speech blaring from vehicles decorated with the Japanese flag?

Why assume these few demonstrators represent the Korean people?

@ozellis

First comment from towingtheline nailed it. The common people care little about this issue. Disputes over wartime history seem ridiculous even to me at almost 60.

The victims are over 90 and it took 3 decades to get the final court decision in S. Korea (not in Japan). For them, it is not the past, but the present: https://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/215583-japan-denounces-south-korean-court-ruling-on-wartime-forced-labor

Of course, it is not your problem, and you have better keep silent when you know nothing about it.

@William77

National flags should never been burned.

I agree with you at some degree, but people have a right of expression. S. Korea is a democratic country, and flags are just cloth, but can be used for protest. In S. Korea, they even burn their own national flag.

http://image.newdaily.co.kr/site/data/img/2015/04/19/2015041900010_0.jpg

http://www.newdaily.co.kr/site/data/html/2015/04/19/2015041900010.html

No law can punish him, and at least it is physically harmless.

@Whatsnext

Annnnd Japan doesnt care.

No one cares about Korea's hissy fit. Keep going.

I hope they do not care, but they do, sometimes in a bizarre way. For example: https://youtu.be/Mcx4hpBowtA

When and if does common sense prevail here?

I thin that Japan needs to confront it's WW2 history better

Yes, you're right.

But when it comes to Korea, they tried. They put in a good faith effort, and negotiated a final agreement with Korea, that both countries agreed to. Then Korea ripped it up, and proposed nothing in replacement. They still haven't. They've just spent the last few years complaining without saying what they feel should be put in replace of the last "final" agreement they agreed to.

@Strangerland.

Yes, you are correct too. All the emphasis seems to be on this 1965 Treaty though. Japan could do more on a human level.

I think that Japan must stop denying WW2 atrocities, and pay more repect to Koreans (and others) who died in Japan, during that dark period. they deserve decent burials, or repatriated.

(and local authorities, get those silly sound trucks of the streets).

By the way the last sentence in my origional comment should have read (I have never come across a Koreaphile).

First comment from towingtheline nailed it. The common people care little about this issue. Disputes over wartime history seem ridiculous even to me at almost 60.

Start bulling for no reasons and now , all in the world can see , what is happening ??? to real Japanese. Copying trump do not work because we are in Asia. I cannot say , I am sorry for Japan this time.

The Japanese rising sub flag is not a racist flag

Very true is has been around for more than 400 years and was not created for the purpose of waging war.

I thin that Japan needs to confront it's WW2 history better

Yes, you're right.

But when it comes to Korea, they tried. They put in a good faith effort, and negotiated a final agreement with Korea, that both countries agreed to. Then Korea ripped it up, and proposed nothing in replacement. They still haven't. They've just spent the last few years complaining without saying what they feel should be put in replace of the last "final" agreement they agreed to.

I thin that Japan needs to confront it's WW2 history better

Japan is very aware of the atrocities it committed prior and during WWII and is punished accordingly by the international community amongst whom former colonial powers whose crimes in the past remained largely scot-free.

The history of the Korean peninsula is indeed a sad one but other countries such as the United States and Russia also played a very dirty role in its saga and they never even formally apologized.

To the South Korean government I would strongly suggest you take your concerns up to an international court if you are not happy with the international agreemenst and treaties which Japan has always said to abide by.

And maybe the media should stop showing pictures on a daily basis of a very small group of South Korean citizens burning Japanese flags and photos because it only serves the purpose of riling up people against each other for no good reason.

Noticeable that you rarely see Japanese burning the Korean flag. The rabid hatred seems to be on one side.

It's like this people, don't get upset about Japan's manufacturing restrictions against South Korea when South Korea are taking Japanese corporations to court about WWII.

And what happened between 1953 and 2019? South Korea didn't consider the court actions until just now?

In another 75 years time the Koreans will still be hating Japan..

Man, this is sad. How much lower and pathetic can South Koreans fall? Cancelling sister cities programs, athletic games, school trips and worse, burning flags. In the end, South Korea is cutting its own legs and will end all alone, with enemies in all sides. No, rocket boy is not her ally. This is really, really sad.

Annnnd Japan doesnt care.

No one cares about Korea's hissy fit. Keep going.

I thin that Japan needs to confront it's WW2 history better. Being honest is not a loss of face. In my native country (culture), admitting a mistake and apologising is seen a courageous thing to do.

Sadly, I think that a recent oportunity has been lost.

Remember also, South Korea does not have the luxary of having an army of apologists, waundering around wearng rose tinted spectacles, lining up to make excuses for "victim Japan" (I have come across a Koreaphile).

@Wesley - You never see Japanese people burning S.Korean or even North Korean flags out in the streets. That's why the Japanese will always be more cultured and mature than the Koreans.

Wow! That's a pretty naive statement! You obviously don't have a good knowledge of the 'tit for tat' that has been going on between these two countries for decades. Would you call Japanese historians who claim the comfort women were volunteers culturally mature? Or, how about the ones that state the Korean workers who were forced to work in coal mines and steel plants in Japan were all volunteers and were paid well for their services? Yes, Korea does seem to have an everlasting and petty hatred for Japan (and for good reason), but Japan has done very little (besides giving cash) to amend the friction between these two countries.

The near-by dictatorships must be thrilled to see rising tensions between the two democracies in the region.

You never see Japanese people burning S.Korean or even North Korean flags out in the streets. That's why the Japanese will always be more cultured and mature than the Koreans.

no of course not, the Japanese just drive around in black vans screaming hatred against Chinese and Koreans, very mature

Also, it was the flag of Japan during World War II and the flag of Japan when they originally invaded South Korea.

The confederate flag was not originally a racist flag either. It simply stood as the banner of the southern states in the war. It only became associated with racism later.

The Japanese rising sun flag was not political. However, it was originally adopted as a wartime flag for Japan. The similar to the Confederate flag. Doesn’t change what it represents to people. In America, many people see it as a representation of white supremacy. In Asia, many see the rising sun flag as a symbol of wartime Japan and their “war time” injustices.

step 1 get a bowl cut

On a serious note..........why can't we all just get a bong ?

Went out for dinner in Korean Town near Shinjuku last night. None of my Korean friends even mentioned anything about this silly protesting.

The Japanese rising sub flag is not a racist flag and can’t be connected with just the WW2.

So as Italy retained the tricolor after the war because it wasn’t a political flag.

So again,these Korean kids burning a national symbol of a country should be condamed.

Furthermore if we want to go back to the creation of the rising flag sun we have traces back in the Edo period,early 1600.

Facts,people that confuse the Japanese rising flag with the CSA or the National Socialist Party flag (Nazi) should do their homework.

Incorrect?

william please go do your research on the rising sun flag and what people in places such as China and Korea think of it. The rising sun flag is a symbol of pride in Japan. But it doesn’t represent the same thing outside of Japan.

JJ this is incorrect.

The rising flag was and still is in nowadays the flag of the navy and then maritime self defense force.

The confederate flag was a political one.

@William77

The rising sun flag for people in Asia is the equivalent to the confederate flag to minorities in America.

Agreed. Only losers go out and burn flags or effigies.

It's not a flag. It's a banner.

You never see Japanese people burning S.Korean or even North Korean flags out in the streets. That's why the Japanese will always be more cultured and mature than the Koreans.

Im thinking the notion of freedom of expression is lost on you. Can't blame you too much though seeing as very few people actually understand the dynamics without falling head over heels for the polished optics. As a small example, look up what the racist groups in black vans spout and pay special attention to what flags they carry especially during processions.

Why are some people so hung up about flags? It's only a piece of cloth and, as symbolic gestures go, a pretty minor one. Who cares if some idiot burns it, wears it, uses it as a tablecloth?

Shhhhhh. Come now. You're using logic and sound reasoning. Only flailing whining about propagandized half truths is allowed here.

I am french and I admire de gaulle and adenauer for reconcilliation france germany

Why are some people so hung up about flags? It's only a piece of cloth and, as symbolic gestures go, a pretty minor one. Who cares if some idiot burns it, wears it, uses it as a tablecloth?

As for Joe Blow's rather precious comment about burning effigies, don't come to the UK on November the fifth, you'll have a nervous breakdown.

Flag burning political activists, the vacuous student body politik, wheeled out to do the Government of South Korea bidding without the intellect to rise above or see beyond the umbrage of historic grievance created by President Moon Jae-in.

You never see Japanese people burning S.Korean or even North Korean flags out in the streets. That's why the Japanese will always be more cultured and mature than the Koreans.

Do any of you actually own the flag they are actually burning? They bought it, it's there's. I own several flags myself. Personally they are mine, I can do what I want with them?

its just a thing not to get too upset about.....ohh that mass produced piece of screen printed cloth it crushes my heart to see it treated in a disrespectful manner. Grow up both of you.

Anyone remember when Osaka cut it's city-ties with San Francisco over the comfort women issue? South Korean cities have the same right to cut ties with Japanese cities if they feel overrun, just the way Osaka felt overrun by San Francisco.

National flags should never been burned.

Even not your enemy one.

Agreed. Only losers go out and burn flags or effigies.

And let me add that besides they mike like or hate Japan’s PM such action still remains very uncivilized and disrespectful.

There are other ways to protest your disagreement to your competitor.

Certainly not such crude ways.

Very bad South Korea

How to be a Korean university student:

Step 1: Get a bowl cut

Step 2: Blindly follow the rhetoric of the Korean government that Japan is evil and always will be.

Joking aside though, burning a Japanese flag and blindly protesting Japan without even thinking of the cause as to why this whole thing is happening in the first place is so very Korean, and does absolutely nothing to fix this issue. SK is acting even more like a spoiled brat than usual. Doesn't like being put into a time out I see..

This whole thing has a very easy solution: Grow up, start treating your neighbors respectfully, fix the issues that Japan highlighted in its withdrawal of expedited procedures for these goods, and then maybe stop stoking anti-Japan rhetoric.

It seems to me that a lot of people protesting don't actually understand anything here. Japan isn't blocking sales of these goods to Korea. It's just stopping preferential treatment. Like all the other 75+ countries that want to buy these goods, Korea still can. They just have to submit export requests 3 months earlier than usual. And it's perfectly within the rights of Japan to do this. I don't kick and scream and annoy my friends and than expect them to drive me around for free. Why should Japan have to give Korea a good will gesture if Korea isn't being reciprocal.

That's a shame. I just finished checking a high school girl's essay about visiting S. Korea.

The majority of the people she interacted with probably are very nice people. That being said, still quite young with a slightly naive outlook on life; however rightfully so.

Very sad and despicable photo.

National flags should never been burned.

Even not your enemy one.

The Korean government should put a stop to this hatred situation.

Doing like this will only worsen the situation.

That's a shame. I just finished checking a high school girl's essay about visiting S. Korea.

She said that she had a negative impression before going, but now she really likes S. Korea and the S. Korean people. She said they were nice people.

korean hates abe not the people. korean president is ruinning the economy anyway koreans ready to kamikaze with japan koreans all know either way they will fall so its more like come with us japan

Looks like your typical staged / fake rally with just a few people (ahem actors) in attendance. Then it gets circulated to the media to who feed on it and act if it's news worthy. Which it isn't...