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© (c) 2014 AFPJapan protests over banner of Korean assassin at Asian Games
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CraigHicks
JOC had the option to ignore this, and they should have.
titaniumdioxide
Waving a banner of a criminal , an assassin, and a terrorist? Have some class Korea!
SenseNotSoCommon
Enough of the tantrum politics. Labelling him a "terrorist" a whole century after he was martyred for Korean independence is a tad subjective, is it not?
some07791
An assassin or murderer, yes. Terrorist, definitely not.
hachikou
This is just a tip of iceberg. Korean TV introduces Japan as "the country that always causes a friction to its neighbors" with subtitle on screen. 周辺国と摩擦をおこす国
http://blog.livedoor.jp/abechan_matome/archives/41016546.html
They did this not only this time but also Winter Olympic. this is about a sports, this shouldn't be about politics. again, they did that soccer tournament , and cartoon festival in France! No doubt, Korea is SICK!!
I hope world comes to realize Koreas true identity, and what is really behind this comfort women, Japanese rising sun flag , island dispute and etc....is just only a hatred.
harvey pekar
Sports is always about politics. There's always extra motivation when facing your political rival. If beating your long hated rival in a game satisfies the urge inside them and calms their nerves for war, then I'm all for things being settled on the sports field instead of the battlefield.
nath
You stay classy, SK.
True Okinawa
When is China and South and North Korea going to stop bringing up the past to encourage anti Japanese feelings? We learn from history, we don't bring it to the table everytime to make excuses. My gosh grow up...
BertieWooster
CraigHicks,
Totally agree.
So I wonder why JT not only chose to put it as the top headline?
nath
@titanium Criminal, assassin , terrorist? Ease off on the Meth there dude. Was John Brown a criminal terrorist for starting the Civil War and ending slavery? What the Japanese did in Korea will be remembered 1000 years from now for it's cruelty and horror. KIlling Hitler is no crime ever and same with the monster Ito.
samwatters
These games have been an embarrassment from the start for Asia's so-called "Big Three." From stealing cameras (Japan) to nasty comments about national anthems (China) to complaining about foreign-born athletes (China and Japan) to this classless act (Korea) and the equally dumb response (again Japan) these Asian games have been like watching a kindergarten class of spolied children.
A Realist
Classy place. Not many countries make heroes out of murderers and build statues honoring the guy, but South Korea does. Maybe Britain can build a statue to Jack the Ripper.
jerseyboy
So this is just the last in a series of childish acts on both sides. Please excuse me if I don't get my knickers in a knot over this one.
CraigHicks
But I felt a ray of light when the Korean authorities let the in-need-of-help thief Naoya Tomita leave Korea without being charged.
innit
As an advocate for Korea independence Ahn Jung-Geun would be rolling in his grave today at the current SK regime yielding more and more influence over their affairs to Beijing. Hope they enjoy being a Chinese colony...the Tibetans and Hong Kongese must be shaking their heads in disbelief that a prosperous democracy actually wants to become part of the PRC.
nath
Ito instituted the looting and rape and robbery of an entire nation, but the image of the man who killed him should never be displayed??? "Japanese actions, including confiscation of lands, drafting civilians for forced labor, and executing those that resisted."
OssanAmerica
Wow, Koreans just can't keep politics out of international sports events can they?
zootmoney
The world was a very different place over 100 years ago. For example, Britain controlled about two-thirds of the world. Believe it or not, people all over the world accepted colonization as a fact, and a way, of life. Victory of the strong over the weak was just not seen in the same light as it is nowadays. If you were living in those times, you would almost certainly have had the same attitude. You can guarantee that there are some things you now accept that won't be seen as acceptable in 100 years. The historical facts are, at that time, Korea's comparative weaknesses made it ripe for colonization. If it hadn't been Japan, it would have been Russia. And if the shoe had been on the other foot, Korea would have had no hesitation in colonizing Japan. One of Korea's few chances at creating some kind of national pride in its own history is trying to keep figures like Jung Geun relevant.
samwatters
@CraigHicks. You're right, Craig. That is a positive step!
CH3CHO
Whenever they show the huge picture of An Jung geun, I cannot but feel pity for them.
CraigHicks
Good. Me too. So why reward these spectators with media attention by stirring things up further?
GalapagosnoGairaishu
Ahn shot and killed an unarmed 68-year-old man. And this is heroism?
lucabrasi
Given the circumstances, yes.
Would you have had the guts?
SamuraiBlue
jokpali
Talk about trash talk based on pure conjecture. Ito Hirofumi was against annexing Korea which can be found from various source.
nath
Ito was the Resident General. If he came to take over my state in America as a "protectorate", I would do EXACTLY the same as Ahn. Get real Sammy.
SamuraiBlue
And how ignorant becomes dangerous with fire.
Ito was also the first Prime Minister before being appointed the position. Basically it was an honorary position for him who had no real political power after vacating the PM position.
samwatters
"Ahn shot and killed an unarmed 68-year-old man. And this is heroism?" "Given the circumstances, yes."
While one's opinion of Ahn certainly depends on which country one is from, I think the salient point is that these Games are supposed to be unifiers to help us move into better relations so the world can become more peaceful rather than for chances for countries to scream at each other, "You great-grandfather did this to my great-grandfather." Zootmoney got it right; the world was a different place 100 years ago. Let's see each other for what we are now rather than complain what a different generation did decades ago.
lucabrasi
@sam
Agree.
Regardless of the historical rights and wrongs, this wasn't the place to raise an issue like this.
samwatters
Thanks, Luca.
jerseyboy
Ossan -- guess you didn't read the whole article, or just chose to ignore this part of it:
Sorry, but Japan is the pot calling the kettle black on this one.
GW
These Asian games remind me of the Guns & Roses song:
Welcome to the Sand Box!
AlexNoaburg
This interasian rivalry is beyond stupid. We like the same type of entertainment, music, food, Confucianism, why must we hate each other? If Europe can unite in a union despite greater differences Asia should be able to too
JohnY921
Ahn Jung-guen was a soldier of Korean Resistance Army. He killed one of the leaders from the terrorist organization that committed atrocities against their neighboring countries. He should be given honor by all people.
CraigHicks
Don't teach children regional rivalry in school. Don't rely on regional rivalry propaganda to shore up domestic support. Unless it is an issue of national security don't respond to provocation. Don't get stuck on meaningless details, welcome change and be prepared to make deals.
igloobuyer
@haciko I hope world comes to realize Koreas true identity, and what is really behind this comfort women, Japanese rising sun flag , island dispute and etc....
Then ask yourself, whose behavior does this 'hatred' stem from. If Japan showed greater remorse and did more for their war-time victims then there would be less hatred - just ask Germany.
zootmoney
Interestingly, according to wikipedia, "Donald Keene said Ahn Jung-Geun was an admirer of Emperor Meiji of Japan. One of the 15 'charges' Ahn leveled against Ito was that he had deceived the Emperor of Japan, whom Ahn felt desired peace in East Asia and Korean independence. Ahn requested that Meiji be informed of his reasons for his assassination of Ito in the hopes that if Meiji understood his reasons, the emperor would realize how mistaken Ito's policies were and would rejoice. Ahn also felt sure that most Japanese felt similar hatred for Ito, an opinion he formed from talking with Japanese prisoners in Korea. Jung-Geun himself stated: "I, as a lieutenant general of the Korean resistance army, killed the criminal Ito Hirobumi because he disturbed the peace of the Orient and estranged the relationship between Korea and Japan. I hoped that if Korea and Japan be friendlier and are ruled peacefully, they would be a model all throughout the five continents." Maybe if he were alive today, he would still be hoping for a friendlier relationship between Korea and Japan.
hokkaidoguy
Didn't they do the same thing last year?
drakedogma
That's very Kim Jeong Un-funny
noypikantoku
titaniumdioxide indeed it's not proper to wave that banner and indeed the fans who brought that should be penalized... Just like what URAWA REDS fans did few months ago... but Criminal? terrorist? uhm? Koreans before WW2 were living a peaceful life and then suddenly the Empire of Japan came to their country and invaded them? don't you think it's normal for some korean people to defend their homeland? What if China suddenly invades Japan now? so the people who will fight to protect Japan against the oppresors are terrorists? criminals? for you?
Thunderbird2
Give it a bloody rest... they show the banner of a terrorist/freedom fighter at a sporting event? Pathetic. Sport is about competing on the field/pitch/track... not in the stands. As for the rising sun flag, well the JMSDF still use it, so it's still an official Japanese flag... like flying the White Ensign to spur on a British team.
lucabrasi
@Thunderbird
Exactly. In other words, ridiculous.
Pandabelle
Keep the politics out of international sport, folks.
kyushubill
Little children who can;t get along with others. Send them to their corners for time outs.
noypikantoku
it's crazy that some people here condemn the whole Korean nation because of this, it's not the entire KOREAN people who did this, yes some racist fans did, but they don't represent the whole Korea, remember what Urawa fans did before? posting an anti Foreigner sign during the game? don't you think that this is kind of the same situation? were these urawa fans representing the whole Japan? No! you can't avoid to have some racist people in the crowd and it doesnt mean they represent the whole population, grow up apologists.
hokkaidoguy
Noypikantoku
iirc, the urawa fans responsible received a lifetime ban, the team was forced to play the next home game in an empty stadium (forfeiting revenue), and the team banned all signs and banners at home and away games.
This was seen almost universally as an appropriate, even handed response.
What will the Korean league response to this situation be?
lucabrasi
@Farmboy
Once again, you come out with the best post on a thread. Nothing else need be said....
Alli Sanders
GUYS let's just stop arguing over this it's clearly Korea's fault on this matter. We should not have provoked Japan further. That does NOT, however, rationalize calling the nation's martyr a terrorist. We have different perspectives and sometimes nationalism gets extreme. I do hope though, that Shinzo Abe would formally apologize to both China and Korea. Yes, past prime ministers have made attempts of official apologies but they have glassed over the subject and often presented actions that further provoked Korea and China such as the visiting of the Yaskuni. I also believe that with a formal apology, things will get easier for not only Japan but also Korea and China. We would feel as if something immensely oppressive has been lifted off. Wouldn't it be more rational to hold each other as allies in such an era? Our historical conflicts must end so that we can build something with cooperation.
Michal Hrouda
No politician in modern German government claims that assassinated officials or military brass of WW2 era are victims or otherwise the assassins are terrorists. Tokyo on the other hand labels Korean who assassinated senior japanese official during brutal japanese occupation of Korea a terrorist. To this day, people of Europe celebrate their own WW2 heros who fought against nazis. Some of them parashoted into the German territories with aim to carry out assassination of nazi senior official. Germany doesn't complain about this but Tokyo obviously can't see this issue from Korean side of history. I don't know if that's for lack of empathy or ignorance of historical fact but many people that I have met here subscribe to the same sort of philosophy Tokyo so vehemently broadcasts. Many people that I've met also think that japan is actually a victim of WW2 events and or that Pearl Harbor attack was orchestrated by usa as pretext to enter a pacific war. Makes me cringe my teeth every time I hear those deluded people speak out, seriously.
kazetsukai
Sports that should be encouaging physical development, competitive spirit and sportsmanship, as with all other international events such as the Nobel prize and even the U.N. are used for political stages to incite Nationalism and as a result racial and other biases and prejudices which are exteremely emotional and often out of touch with reality. Life goes on . For each, the path taken is often determined by the kind of information available and how that individual wants to and decides to interpret and respond or react to it. Sadly, too often that informationthat is available is most often tainted and biased.
OssanAmerica
Moderator: jokpali is a derogatory racist Korean word for Japanese.
jokpaliOct. 01, 2014 - 09:24AM JST
jerseyboy
LOL. Thank you all you Japanophiles and apologists -- 12 thumbs down on one post and 9 on my second, just for repeating what is stated in the article about similar behavior by Japanese fans in SK:
Until BOTH countries grow up, and stop looking for opportunities to use every occasion, including sporting events, to try embarrass the other, relations in Northeast Asia will never improve.
igloobuyer
terrorist/freedom fighter to you, hero and savior to others. Japan has no business complaining; sure if this were in Japan, maybe.
therougou
should be "one" Japanese fan, but who's counting.
toshiko
Japan has protested to Asian Games organizers in South Korea after the image of a Korean hero who assassinated a senior Japanese official a century ago was shown in a stadium, officials said Tuesday.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
In sport games, all sort of banners appear in fan seats. If you don't lilike, just ignore.
hokkaidoguy
Toshiko:
That may be true in other sports, but FIFA does not permit "all sorts" of banners. Provocative and political messages are not permitted, period. The host has an obligation under the FIFA rules of conduct to remove the signs and the individuals responsible.
This isn't up for negotiation. These are the rules of the game, which all FIFA members have agreed to.
melonbarmonster
You can debate history but calling Ahn a terrorist is frankly stupid. He was an educated aristocrat with zero penchant for violence who assassinated a war criminal for principled reasons(gruesome murder of Korean queen, massacres of Korean civilians, etc.) which he clearly documented before the assassination and before his execution. Even his Japanese jailguards respected him and held him in high regard.
nigelboy
But he is though. He assassinated a key figure who was reluctant on the annexation of Korea and at the same time held high regards for the Emperor. Of course, history tells us that the result ended in a hastened annexation request by the Korean counterparts with virtually no civic resistance.
I guess when a country lacks heroes like Korea, you simply create a fantasy story and make up one.
drinron
This is sports, not politics. Koreans should grow up. They are very classy these days.
toshiko
@hokkaiso: I tried to check HIHA rules on fans about their showing placards. Can you write connection that I can kearb/ Wikipedid did not mention about fan behaviors.
jerseyboy
nigelboy -- LOL, thanks for the laugh. As opposed to Japan that enshrines its "heroes", including war criminals, at Yasakuni, and pays tribute to them every chance they get. Right?
Your comment is exactly why Japan and SK have virtually no chance of having any form of positive relations presently. Because all anyone is interested in is trying to lower the bar even further by lobbing silly insults back and forth.
melonbarmonster
If Ahn was a terrorist for killing key heads of state for principled reasons what do you call men like Hirobumi who butchered civilians and royalty without batting an eye?
nigelboy
Lame comparison jerseyboy. Ask any Japanese who their "heroes" are and you'll get mostly key figures from the Sengoku era and the so-called "war criminals" at "Yasukuni" (same mispelling by you repeatedly, confirming yet again, your complete lack of interaction with Japanese) are ALMOST NEVER MENTIONED in the conversation.
Like the article stated, “The JOC’s protest was not so strong, and we believe it will not escalate into a major row,”
Some Japanese laugh it off not only because he accomplished NOTHING, he resembles this joker.
<http://samansa-trendsokuho.blog.so-net.ne.jp/_images/blog/_d7c/samansa-trendsokuho/ann20nabeatu.jpg
hokkaidoguy
@toshiko
Chapter 60 here: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/51/53/98/safetyregulations_e.pdf
jerseyboy
nigelboy -- what is lame is that you state that Japanese people have to look back to the period around 1500 to find any heroes. And you critisize SK for "lacking heroes"!!! Like I said LOL.
toshiko
@hokkaido: Thank you, I will try to read Chap 60
noypikantoku
hokkaidoguy
iirc, the urawa fans responsible received a lifetime ban, the team was forced to play the next home game in an empty stadium (forfeiting revenue), and the team banned all signs and banners at home and away games.
This was seen almost universally as an appropriate, even handed response.
What will the Korean league response to this situation be?
I am not saying that these fans who committed this act should not be penalized, They should be banned from watching these games again and I totally agree that this kinds of acts should be prohibited in any events. However to blame the whole Korean Nation for this, is really stupid in my opinion and just adding flames to hatred. Why take sides? why not go in between to fix the the feud between Japan and Korea? are you all sure and hold evidences that ALL KOREANS hate Japan? or you guys just get the information on what the media feeds you?
nigelboy
??? Japan has a long history. Their criteria is way higher than let's say, a delusional terrorist who assassinated a Japanese political figure who was reluctant towards annexation of Korea.
noypikantoku
Jerseyboy:
Until BOTH countries grow up, and stop looking for opportunities to use every occasion, including sporting events, to try embarrass the other, relations in Northeast Asia will never improve.
Finally I see a very sensible comment!
nigelboy:
Ahn assasinated a Japanese political figure who is oppressing the Korean people, if you are in the position of Koreans what would you do to save your country from the invaders? He didn't assasinate an innocent politician, he assasinated a war criminal. I'm sorry but being an apologist won't make you closer to Japan.
nigelboy
Nope. He was already relieved from Resident General of Korea by the time of the assassination. 15 reasons Ahn sited for his motivation turned out that Ito had very little to do with them. Do you people ever look up facts? My goodness. This is what I mean by "create a fantasy story".
Jerome_from_Utah
A couple of years ago, I saw a Korean science fiction video that started with the proposition that the assassination had been prevented. It then leaps into a future 1990s in which Korea is still part of Japan and Japan had not gotten involved in the Second World War. The Koreans, of course, were still trying to separate themselves from Japan. In this story, that doesn't happen. Wish I knew the title of this alternative history.
turbotsat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Lost_Memories
noypikantoku
nigelboy Do you people ever look up facts? My goodness. This is what I mean by "create a fantasy story".
We do look up facts and use common sense. does it really matter if Ahn was a Resident General or not to fight for his homeland? many innocent Koreans were murdered, taken away their human rights in their "own" country under Ito Hirobumi's command and you call him innocent? is it us or you who should look for facts?
CH3CHO
Michal HroudaOct. 01, 2014 - 08:36PM JST
Ito was assassinated BEFORE Korea became Japanese territory. Your comment is factually incorrect. He was assassinated in 1909 just one year after Durham White Stevens was assassinated by Korean "heroes". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_Stevens
Ito is the father of democracy of Japan. He was one of the leaders who brought down feudal government of Tokugawa shogunate in 1867. In 1889, He drafted the Constitution of Empire of Japan with which he brought Bill of Rights and the elected Parliament to Japan.
When the King of Korea consented to make his country Japanese protectorate, the "constitution" of Korea was like this. http://www.geocities.co.jp/WallStreet/1747/1899.html (Japanese translation)
There was no bill of rights or parliament in Korea, and Korean government was known for oppressive rule over its people at that time.
EthanWilber
If Kamikaze pilots who were Japan’s govt organized and sponsored terrorists are still worshiped in the shrines across Japan for their so called ‘patriotism and courage’, then Japan can do much better then point the fingers to S.K.
For people who do not know, when Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese soldier, murder and terrorist return home after hiding in Philippines jungle for 29 years, he received hero’s welcome in Japan.
Please stop being hypocritical and start showing maturity.
Let bygones be bygones, should we?
tokyodoumo
Only a die hard Imperialist would call Ahn a terrorist.
squeeks
Wow... That's the only word I have for this right now...
JohnY921
If Ahn is a terrorist, the US and its allies are aggressors. Either the historians are liars or those Japanese are delusional.
Ahn Jung-guen was a soldier of a Korean resistance army, and he terminated the one of the gang leaders. Why so many thumbs down for telling it as is? Any ideas?
sfjp330
Ahn was probably in a small group of highly devoted individuals formed following the failures of the resistance army. Yet one can question whether Ahn was as crucial to the anti-Japanese movement as he is now made out to be. He certainly played a role in Korea’s fight for sovereignty and was very active, as evidenced by his many associations and his movements through wide areas. But the same can be said of a lot of other anti-Japanese activists. The thing that makes Ahn stand out above the rest is the patriotic deed. One can say that Ahn got lucky. In South Korea, at least, a high profile political assassination and subsequent execution at the hands of the Imperial oppressor are the necessary conditions for martyrdom.
CH3CHO
EthanWilberOct. 02, 2014 - 09:12PM JST
I know. He did not get any hero's welcome. Rather, everyone in Japan got pretty much embarrassed. How could a man continue fighting alone in a jungle, believing the war is still going on and that everything he hears is enemy propaganda to make him surrender? It turned out he really believed so.
EthanWilber
Checho, I respecfully disagree with your asserssion. When you have some time to spend, please dig into Japanese newspaper archives regarding news report and reactions back then about Hiroo Onoda.
Just to emphasize my point, my primary intent was that Japan like its neighbors, S.K, China and Russia, is not complete innocent regarding its past history aspects. It’s better to spend energy and resources on future by not dwelling and agonizing on the past.
No country can change its past, but every country can make a difference on its future if it makes some real efforts.
nigelboy
Like what, for instance?
Faceless Man
Ahn is considered to be Asian version of Claus von Stauffenberg, the German army officer who tried to end WW2 by assassinating Adolf Hitler. Ahn likewise tried to stop Imperial Japan's invasion of Asia by assassinating its mastermind, Ito Hirobumi. Accordingly, Ahn is celebrated as a courageous hero who sacrificed himself in an attempt to save the lives of tens of millions of Asians who would fell victim to Imperial Japan in Korea and China.
Not only there are statutes and museums celebrating Ahn across Korea and China, including one at Harbin train station where Ito was assassinated, but a submarine is named after him too.
BTW, the ROK Navy is also planning to name one of its submarines after Lee Bong Chang, the man who threw a bomb at Emperor Hirohito in an attempt to assassinate him.
nigelboy
Only IN Korea.
Like I said and other have alluded to, Hirobumi was reluctant towards annexation and most importantly, had already resigned as a post as Resident General of Korea. Ahn presented his 15 reasons for his 'reasoning' which was so far off the mark in terms of Hirobumi's involvement that one can safely conclude that he was 'delusional' at best.
His conduct did not 'inspire' anybody for it only helped the movement towards annexation. Whatever the Koreans are 'celebrating' for are basically based on fantasy scenario that the Koreans cooked up.
Kind of sums up the psychological affairs of the Korean government.
JTDanMan
The funny thing is, Ito was against colonizing Korea.
JohnY921
"The funny thing is, Ito was against colonizing Korea," according to Japanese. But then again, the war criminals think that they are victims of WWII.
Cortes Elijah
This is about the same as China or some country displaying a banner of Lee Harvey Oswald at the Olympics representing China. It's a deliberate show of disrespect to Japan, it's the same as Japan showing a banner of a famous WWII soldier responsible for killing Koreans. Would it be tolerated? No Korea would cry about it for the next 500 years.
This childish crap has to stop if these countries want to move on....or do they?
toshiko
!Cortes Elijah
No it is not same. Oswald is not a Chinese.
toshiko
Ahn had nothing to do with WW II.
Ito arrived at the Harbin Railway Station on October 26, 1909 for a meeting with Vladimir Kokovtsov, a Russian representative in Manchuria. When he arrived and proceeded to meet his Russian colleague, An Jung-geun, a Korean nationalis] and independence activist,[ fired six shots at him. Three of those shots hit Ito in the chest and he died shortly thereafter. Ito's body was returned to Japan on the Imperial Japanese Navy cruiser Akitsushima, and he was later accorded a state funera
After Japan colonized Korea, he became first and second Living General; of Korea.
melonbarmonster
This was sparked by Japanese fans flying the Imperial flag design during Korean Japan matches. Call me crazy but why not just stick to national flags and not fly WWII imperial graphics to a country that you invaded and brutalized?
toshiko
Onlt one fan showed An's picture. Just ignore.