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New S Korean ambassador eyes political solutions to issues with Japan

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It is time for the Japanese government to escape from the old attitudes originating from the WWII to be flexible in accepting the past history and facing the future.

As a Korean, I know from experience that the collectivism is a hundred times worse in South Korea, the country where people broke into the Japanese embassy, refused to refuel Japanese cars, set themselves on fires at protests, tried to make it mandatory to put in schools stickers that said “This device was made by a war criminal”, and harassed a U.S. diplomat for having a moustache similar to a Japanese general's. I grew up with my own parents constantly reminding me of what Japan did seventy years ago as if it happened yesterday.

The people are indoctrinated into believing they are owed something over what happened seventy years ago. The hypocritical, self-righteous attitude makes me ashamed to be Korean.

If anyone needs to stop living in the past and looking for excuses to hate, it's South Korea.

27 ( +32 / -5 )

A Korean that grew up in South Korea, or one that was born and grew up in Japan and wasn’t considered a Japanese citizen until you chose to apply for citizenship?

A Korean born in Seoul, raised in Yongin, and moved to the U.S., if you really want to know.

23 ( +25 / -2 )

In S. Korea, people do not accept it, and even toppled the government whose leader tried to control the history textbooks.

They also arrested a professor for publishing the truth about some Koreans voluntarily becoming comfort women and other Koreans cooperating to recruit them. Seems like they're fine with altering history when it's convenient for them.

21 ( +22 / -1 )

should explore "political solutions" to issues stemming from Japan's colonization of the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea is the one who has turned anti-Japan sentiment into a political tool. Unless South Korea accepts that historical issues which have already been addressed, negotiated and agreed have been finalized, there is no hope whatsoever of any improvement in relations. Anti-Japan Tribalism* ie; Nationalism needs to end unless South Korea is prepared to leave the US-JPN-SK alliance and join China. The Obama Adnministration worked hard to get the "Permanent and Irreversible" 2015 Comfort Women Agreement to be concluded. Moon ripped it up. The US under the Biden Administration has no time for South Korea's further nonsense. This is why South Korea will never be the reliable ally in Asia that Japan is.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Japan_Tribalism

20 ( +28 / -8 )

It is a mistake to try resolve and resolvable issue. Japan should wash her hands of korea and move on.

19 ( +24 / -5 )

The new envoy said the two countries should not repeat the mistakes they made in handling the matter.

Talk to your lame duck boss at the Blue House who has continued to make mistakes.

Kang also said he heard that one of the plaintiffs involved in a similar damages lawsuit against the Japanese government recently said the suit can be dropped if the government admits facts and offers an apology.

A nice try, but Japan will never be had with such cheap tactics. Return first all money paid since the 1965 pact if you are to nullify the bilateral ties and to start over for a negotiation.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

PM Suga didn't see off the outgoing ROK ambassador. It's likely that Japanese officials will continue to give the cold shoulder to the new ambassador Kang. Currently, the ROK is not the top priority among Japan's foreign affairs. They will just wait and see the lame duck president leave office.

Kang should also be accountable for his anti-Japanese remarks in the past.

新・駐日韓国大使となる姜昌一氏の「反日発言連発」語録

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/c0ae2bcd257b67cbc641bc4c1e5c08322b293268

19 ( +21 / -2 )

Does that include effective and logical solutions or more whining and extortion?

S. Korean government does not meddle in Japanese civilian matters such as anti-Korean propaganda by Japanese media or citizens

Sounds like you've never been to any of the two countries.

18 ( +23 / -5 )

@SJ

> The problem here is the Japanese government has systematically controlled the thoughts and actions of the Japanese people who are traditionally obedient. For example, https://www.heritage.org/asia/report/the-pearl-harbor-anniversary-japan-still-says-dont-blame-me

You have linked a far-right conspiracy website to support your bigoted views. Not a good look.

The "Heritage.org" website is full of far-right nuttiness such as "Why Aren't US Attorneys Investigating Voter Fraud Allegations?" and "BLM’s Leftist Agenda".

18 ( +19 / -1 )

SJToday 10:09 am JST

People are diverse, and so do their thoughts and actions

the Japanese people who are traditionally obedient.

Pot, meet kettle.

That is what I heard from a Japanese professor. It sounds true, as long as the Japanese are tolerant of state-controlled history textbooks. In S. Korea, people do not accept it, and even toppled the government whose leader tried to control the history textbooks.

https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/165911

How about Japan?

Show me a Korean textbook (in wide public use) that mentions or gives details of the massacres and atrocities committed by South Korean troops in their own country during the Korean war or in Vietnam and I will go along with your argument.

18 ( +20 / -2 )

She was indicted in charge of libel against the survived comfort women regardless of the truth about the CW.

So you agree this proof they're are indeed altering history when it's convenient for them. It's wonderful when people can come to agree with each other.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

People are diverse, and so do their thoughts and actions

the Japanese people who are traditionally obedient.

Pot, meet kettle.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

This new ambassador is just speaking to the press. He has no power to stop anti Japanese settlement in Korea. What needs to happen is a full Japanese boycott of Korea to get their attention.

15 ( +18 / -3 )

Typical Japanese misinformation on S. Korea. She was indicted in charge of libel against the survived comfort women regardless of the truth about the CW.

*Even the following retired professor published a book, which became a bestseller in Japan, *and the truth is irrelevant here.

How can the truth about CW be regardless of? or irrelevant ? Typical Korean mind-set isn't t?

Seoul High Court convicted her, You remember?

15 ( +16 / -1 )

If I were a Japanese politician I would be incredibly wary and cautious around these SK politicians, especially ones that come to you with an olive branch and big talks about looking to resolve issues and strengthen ties.

Time after time the world has seen the duplicitous behavior of SK politicians and their rabid anti-Japan base. One day they will shake hands and crow that this is the final resolution to lengthy disputes about past wartime atrocities. Next day they will renege and without warning invalidate such resolutions so that everything is back to square one and Japan has 'never' apologized or compensated for past wartime deeds.

15 ( +18 / -3 )

People are diverse, and so do their thoughts and actions

the Japanese people who are traditionally obedient.

Pot, meet kettle.

That is what I heard from a Japanese professor. It sounds true, as long as the Japanese are tolerant of state-controlled history textbooks. In S. Korea, people do not accept it, and even toppled the government whose leader tried to control the history textbooks.

South Koreans say their nation is of more advanced democracy but it is not at all. It is just a nation of never-ending tantrum which ignore every positive steps their historical governments THEY CHOSE democratically have made.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

There has been a number of studies and fact-finding missions.

Here’s two….

Comfort women: an unfinished ordeal…..1994..

https://www.icj.org/comfort-women-an-unfinished-ordeal-report-of-a-mission/

And …..

Listening to voices…… Maki Kimura, 2003

https://www.lse.ac.uk/gender/assets/documents/research/working-papers/LISTENING-TO-VOICES.pdf

Both give insight and opinion on the views from the comfort women themselves.

What neither can establish is the nature of belligerent retribution and a path to reconciliation, exoneration, absolution.   

One aspect is vital, the age of the frail pensioners, meaning time is of the essence.

There is a clear opportunity within the 2015 agreement/deal to establish a political and diplomatic way forward.

Overview here…

Announcement by Foreign Ministers of Japan and the Republic of Korea at the Joint Press Occasion

https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na/kr/page4e_000364.html

New South Korean Ambassador to Japan Kang Chang Il, in many respects has been handed a political and diplomatic poison chalice.

It is no surprise that more than 80% of Japans population were not born and many were children. No International court would hold them responsible.

These is as much a bitter reluctance, coupled with political intransigence of President Moon Jae In to except/adopt a more nuanced, pragmatic, practical approach to rebuilding relations with Japan and it people.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

The Japanese government likes to politicizing civilian matters such as legal verdicts from courts and statues installed by civilians to protest against the S. Korean government

Please

12 ( +13 / -1 )

.... wasn’t considered a Japanese citizen until you chose to apply for citizenship?

Am I missing something here?

12 ( +12 / -0 )

She was indicted in charge of libel against the survived comfort women regardless of the truth about the CW.

Sure, "libel".

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Is this a typical Japanese logic to announce an agreement?

Wouldn't know. I'm just saying it's wonderful you agree with the fact MarkToday posted above.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

There is ZERO chance of improved relations between SK and Japan, while crooked courts in Seoul continue to seek to punish and bully Japan, violating the law, and while there is near universal hatred of Japan by Koreans.

Japanese politicians should keep taking the high road and resist this "olive branch" by crooked SK lawmakers. Look to Japan-loving neighbors like Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand to do business with, not Korea.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

SJ

Let me ask you one question. The following verdict is a civilian issue or not?

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-usa-warmbier/u-s-court-orders-north-korea-to-pay-501-million-in-u-s-students-death-idUKKCN1ON134?edition-redirect=uk

Of course NOT. So what? have you even heard of diplomatic protection?

I am not detailing the legal issue here, but just let me teach you one thing. For example, the truth is that "SJ is stupid", and I publish a book stating that "SJ is stupid", then you can be indicted in charge of libel in S. Korean courts. Publishing a simple truth sometimes can be libel according to the verdicts made in S. Korean courts. Of course, most libel cases are from false statements. In the case of the professor, whether it is true or false was irrelevant.

How about the Japanese courts?

Indicted and then convicted for telling the truth which were far from individual attacks. Right?

Thanks for confirming SK court is lunatic.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

As an American who's accustomed to contract law, at what point does Japan simply have to say 'hey, no more contracts since S. Korean politicians always seem to nullify any prior agreements'?

I've seen some people on here say 'well...Japan needs to live up to its side of the deal'? Like how? Never going to Yasukuni shrine? Yeah, that's a great idea. Restrict someone's movement in their own home country. Apologize? Hasn't Japan apologized enough already?

It's just such an easy solution for S. Korean politicians to use whenever they need support for flagging poll #'s.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Since Japan has already admitted their guilt and apologised and provided Monetary contributions on the issue regarding Comfort Woman.

"We learned the lesson that if a historical issue is intertwined with an economic one, it will not be good for either side," Kang said.

South Korea should now be focusing on resolving the Issues of their Atrocities committed during the Vietnam war. before this becomes intertwined with an economic one. Therefore, It is high time that South Korea be held accountable for the massacre and rapes of thousands of vietnam civilians And to stop hiding the truth about it.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Playing words? Civil case and the government involved into civilian matters are totally different. SJ.

What on earth NK released him in the first place?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

The simple truth is SK out of money n have to pay 9 billion to Iran n Now is on begging mode

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Korean comfort women( or sex slaves if you like calling them such way) before/after 1945 are no different.

However, S. Korean government and justice and those fraud human rights groups don't listen to the victims after 1945.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Look both the Japanese and South Korean Government must have been fully aware of the existence of these Comfort Women at the time of the signing of the treaty when both countries established diplomatic ties in 1965!

The South Korean Government are as complicit to the ignorance of the women's plights.

It clearly stated in the testaments of the women themselves.

President Moon Jae In must be aware of this fact. He proports to be a human lawyer!

Read the testimonies.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

itsonlyrocknrollToday  09:02 pm JST

Look both the Japanese and South Korean Government must have been fully aware of the existence of these Comfort Women at the time of the signing of the treaty when both countries established diplomatic ties in 1965!

The South Korean Government are as complicit to the ignorance of the women's plights.

It clearly stated in the testaments of the women themselves.

President Moon Jae In must be aware of this fact. He proports to be a human lawyer!

Read the testimonies.

> YES In the very prep dialogue for 1965 treaty, it is clearly shown Korean delegates referred to KOREAN COMFORT WOMEN and it was about their unpaid wages. There's no end to their hypocrisy.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Again, Japan has apologized in words only. After every apology, government ministers go to Yasukuni and also promote textbooks that gloss over WWII except to make Japan look like the victim.

First. Apology for other issues and visiting Yasukuni IS totally irrelevant and different.

Secondly, Japanese government and/or Japan has never apologized as results of admitting silly Korean narratives.

Any time the courts are involved, the government is involved as the courts are a branch of government.

So? Please go on.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Read Comfort women: an unfinished ordeal…..1994.. Chapter 7 page 133 posted above

Position of Japanese Government

Start from an overview of Japanese statements.

Then review the Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono on the result of the study on the issue of "comfort women". August 4, 1993....Sorry I cannot provide a direct link.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono  should have lead to a political and diplomatic conclusion through a series of  summits involving all involved parties, notably the comfort woem themselves

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sorry a distraction....

Continuing.....

Notably the comfort women themselves, it appears the political and diplomatic process stalled.

Thus, coming some way to explaining the continuous blame game, punch and Judy, a hideous, corrosive ghastly round of demands for political apologies at every change of Japanese Government.

The 2015 agreement/deal provides a fund to provide compensation to the comfort women/pensioners in question.

A step forward, However President Moon Jae In, will need to fully acknowledge and agree to binding arbitration.

Remove all political influence, and move to an agreed commission.

However most of the comfort women are in there nineties. Maybe to little to late.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@SJ

Since I have been away at work never had a chance to read your reply so sorry for the late answer.

The video is in Japanese and part of it was not in everyday Japanese so I was not sure on the meanings of some parts of it. Unfortunately I am not Fluent in Japanese. So it is irrelevant to me.

Another type of Japanese misinformation on S. Korea

I disagree I have read the 1965 Treaty and it was plain to see the Japanese paid South Korea Money for the comfort Woman and South Korean Government would hand it out to the Comfort Woman and that would be the end of it. and that was agreed to by South Korea. Are you suggesting that the 1965 Treaty was null and void after it was signed by both parties and money was paid?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

SJJan. 18  11:18 am JST

@MarkToday  

They also arrested a professor for publishing the truth about some Koreans voluntarily becoming comfort women and other Koreans cooperating to recruit them. Seems like they're fine with altering history when it's convenient for them.

Typical Japanese misinformation on S. Korea. She was indicted in charge of libel against the survived comfort women regardless of the truth about the CW.

Truly, what an utterly pathetic response typical of brainwashed Koreans. The purpose of a libel suit is to protect individuals' reputation from false information and lies. Thus, an affirmative defense to a libel case is to provide evidence that the information was in fact true among others. Your reasoning that the korean court found the defendant guilty "regardless of the truth about the CW" clearly shows the reality of korean society's narrative of the comfort women. It is willing to forgo the basics in a defamation suit and exemplifies the absuridity of the court's decision to what it really is: an absolute farse.

P. SmithJan. 18  12:30 pm JST

Am I missing something here?

Perhaps. Japan stripped Koreans of Japanese citizenship after WWII despite having granted Koreans citizenship during Japan’s brutal colonization of Korea, even the Koreans who were born in Japan to citizen parents from Korea.

The Koreans that chose to remain in Japan were given special residency status, but continued to be treated like second class citizens. If the Koreans wanted to gain Japanese citizenship, they were forced to apply for it and renounce their Korean citizenship. Until relatively recently, they were also forced to drop their Korean names and adopt Japanese names.

Another example of damned if you do, damned if you don't. Japan stripped Koreans of their citizenship because they were liberated from Japanese rule and this applied to all non-Japanese citizens and not just Koreans. Japan has never allowed dual citizenship nor jus soli (citizenship by birth), so your comment regarding Koreans born in Japan not receiving citizenship is entirely moot. Japan never FORCED Koreans to apply for Japanese citizenship which is absolutely absurd. You first complained that Japan stripped Koreans of Japanese citizenship after WWII, but then somehow Japan forced Koreans to apply for Japanese citizenship? No, in fact they gave them special priviliges and granted them easier access to Japanese citizenship if they chose to become one allowing the Korean to choose on their own volition.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

itsonlyrocknrollToday  09:02 pm JST

Look both the Japanese and South Korean Government must have been fully aware of the existence of these Comfort Women at the time of the signing of the treaty when both countries established diplomatic ties in 1965!

The South Korean Government are as complicit to the ignorance of the women's plights.

It clearly stated in the testaments of the women themselves.

President Moon Jae In must be aware of this fact. He proports to be a human lawyer!

Read the testimonies.

YES. In the prep dialogue for 1965 treaty, it is clearly shown Korean delegates referred to KOREAN COMFORT WOMEN and it was about their unpaid wages. There's no end to their hypocrisy.

0( +0 / -0 )

1 ( +1 / -0 )

SJ

Just in case you wished meaning it to be domestic matter rather than civilian matter, there would be no difference in conclusion at all.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Have Korea put forward a proposal to settle the issue? There was one, that was negotiated in good faith by Japan and Korea, and both countries agreed upon it. But then the Korean government changed, and the new government saw more value in being able to complain about Japan, than in resolving the issue, so they ripped it up. Last I heard they were definitely whining, and definitely hadn't put forth a proposed replacement for the agreement they ripped up. Any change in this situation anyone?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

New South Korean Ambassador to Japan Kang Chang Il said Sunday that South Korea and Japan, with their relations at their lowest point in decades over wartime labor and other disputes, should explore "political solutions" to issues stemming from Japan's colonization of the Korean Peninsula

Errrm . . . they did. in 1965, 1995 and in 2015. On each occasion the South Korean government has either stolen the money intended for victims and/or backed out of the agreement.

The South Korean government no longer has any credibility on this issue.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

his readiness to make maximum efforts to help the postponed Tokyo Olympics be a success.

Do they use brown envelopes or white envelopes in SK?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Regarding Yasukuni I do believe the war criminals should be removed and the sooner the better as I would like to visit there. As it is a shrine for all people who died in the service of Japan and I would like to see my wifes grandfathers name. and show it to his mixed grandchildren but I refuse to do so while the war criminals are there as a form of respect to my grandfather who fought against Japan during WW2.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@P.Smith

 government ministers go to Yasukuni 

Regarding Yasukuni I do believe the war criminals should be removed and the sooner the better as I would like to visit there. As it is a shrine for all people who died in the service of Japan and I would like to see my wifes grandfathers name. and show it to his mixed grandchildren but I refuse to do so while the war criminals are there as a form of respect to my grandfather who fought against Japan during WW2.

also promote textbooks that gloss over WWII except to make Japan look like the victim.

I am not aware of the textbooks you are referring too, I do know that the text books my son has only mentions dates and names of specific battles but not details of what took place in them, but that is not limited to only Japanese battles but for all of them that are included in his textbooks including some American, Italian, British, and German battles

0 ( +0 / -0 )

SJ

Civil Case is a legal term as opposed to criminal case and you mentioned

The Japanese government likes to politicizing civilian matters such as legal verdicts from courts

Please do not make me repeat this. The defendant = the very party concerned wrt the recent stupid verdict at Seoul regional court is THE Japanese government which is not a civilian, and whichever action it takes would be political. Secondly, the government needs to take action to protect it's civilians diplomatically from unreasonable foreign nations' acts including unfair verdict ( especially like when the related cause had been all settled under bilateral treaty/agreement) , regardless civil or criminal case, which is called diplomatic protection that is nothing but political acts. YOU BASICALLY SEEM NOT UDERSTANDING DIPLOMATIC PROTECTION.

Check English dictionary and no more words playing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@kennyG

Playing words? Civil case and the government involved into civilian matters are totally different. SJ.

Yes. You have a right to play words, interpreting every term in your own way. You are now saying "Civil case is not a civilian matter."

@kennyG

Of course NOT. So what? have you even heard of diplomatic protection?

Yes. The Japanese law states that Japan shall not be immune from jurisdiction with respect to Judicial Proceedings in which monetary compensation for the damage in the following cases. You may now claim that diplomatic protection and immunity from jurisdiction are totally different.

Act on the Civil Jurisdiction of Japan with respect to a Foreign State, etc.

Act No. 24 of April 24, 2009

Article 10 In cases where the death of or injury to a person or the loss of or damage to a tangible object resulted from an act for which it is claimed a Foreign State, etc., should take responsibility, if all or part of said act took place in Japan and the person who performed said act was in Japan at the time it was committed, said Foreign State, etc. shall not be immune from jurisdiction with respect to Judicial Proceedings in which monetary compensation for the damage or loss resulting from said act is being sought.

第十条 外国等は、人の死亡若しくは傷害又は有体物の滅失若しくは毀損が、当該外国等が責任を負うべきものと主張される行為によって生じた場合において、当該行為の全部又は一部が日本国内で行われ、かつ、当該行為をした者が当該行為の時に日本国内に所在していたときは、これによって生じた損害又は損失の金銭によるてん補に関する裁判手続について、裁判権から免除されない。

http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/law/detail/?id=1948&vm=04&re=01

政府参考人(倉吉敬君) 確かに、ここに書かれているのは人の死亡若しくは傷害という、要するにいわゆる我々が日本法で不法行為と考えるときは、損害はもっといろんなものがございます、精神的苦痛であるとかですね。だから、その程度のものは国家はもう主権免除してあげようよという、そういう配慮があるわけです。

https://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/simple/detail?minId=117115206X00920090416&spkNum=107#s107

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

kennyGToday  02:06 pm JST

SJ

Let me ask you one question. The following verdict is a civilian issue or not?

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-usa-warmbier/u-s-court-orders-north-korea-to-pay-501-million-in-u-s-students-death-idUKKCN1ON134?edition-redirect=uk

Of course NOT. So what? have you even heard of diplomatic protection?

Accepting your definitions, what do you call such lawsuits such as the CW and Warmbier cases?

Just for reference: Civil Case No. 1:18-cv-00977

https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Warmbier-suit.pdf

I am not quite sure about Japan, but other countries, including S. Korea and the US, define them as civil cases.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

@James

Since Japan has already admitted their guilt and apologised and provided Monetary contributions on the issue regarding Comfort Woman.

Another type of Japanese misinformation on S. Korea.

The fact is that Japan never admitted their guilt, as recently testified by the Japanese foreign ministry: https://youtu.be/LB3xsKcMZXU

Legally, the monetary contribution was just for FREE, not for damage compensation as Japan never admitted any wrongdoing in Korea. Apologies were revoked at anytime, some within a few weeks.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

@MarkToday  

They also arrested a professor for publishing the truth about some Koreans voluntarily becoming comfort women and other Koreans cooperating to recruit them. Seems like they're fine with altering history when it's convenient for them.

Typical Japanese misinformation on S. Korea. She was indicted in charge of libel against the survived comfort women regardless of the truth about the CW.

Even the following retired professor published a book, which became a bestseller in Japan, and the truth is irrelevant here.

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2019/08/25/features/Historians-reexamine-Koreas-accepted-history-Book-touching-on-Korean-nationalism-has-created-a-firestorm/3067163.html

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

@kennyG

Think a bit before posting. The defendant of the recent stupid verdict was Japanese government, bilateral official treaties/agreements SK kept nullifying were closed with Japanese government, which are not a simple civilian issues any longer

Let me ask you one question. The following verdict is a civilian issue or not?

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-usa-warmbier/u-s-court-orders-north-korea-to-pay-501-million-in-u-s-students-death-idUKKCN1ON134?edition-redirect=uk

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

garymalmgrenToday  10:23 am JST

SJToday 10:09 am JST

People are diverse, and so do their thoughts and actions

the Japanese people who are traditionally obedient.

Pot, meet kettle.

That is what I heard from a Japanese professor. It sounds true, as long as the Japanese are tolerant of state-controlled history textbooks. In S. Korea, people do not accept it, and even toppled the government whose leader tried to control the history textbooks.

https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/165911

How about Japan?

Show me a Korean textbook (in wide public use) that mentions or gives details of the massacres and atrocities committed by South Korean troops in their own country during the Korean war or in Vietnam and I will go along with your argument.

A typical Japanese response to obfuscate the issue by bringing up irrelevant stories. Study by yourself.

-17 ( +1 / -18 )

@Garthgoyle

She was indicted in charge of libel against the survived comfort women regardless of the truth about the CW.

So you agree this proof they're are indeed altering history when it's convenient for them. It's wonderful when people can come to agree with each other.

Is this a typical Japanese logic to announce an agreement?

I am not detailing the legal issue here, but just let me teach you one thing. For example, the truth is that "G is stupid", and I publish a book stating that "G is stupid", then you can be indicted in charge of libel in S. Korean courts. Publishing a simple truth sometimes can be libel according to the verdicts made in S. Korean courts. Of course, most libel cases are from false statements. In the case of the professor, whether it is true or false was irrelevant.

How about the Japanese courts?

-17 ( +2 / -19 )

New S Korean ambassador eyes political solutions to issues with Japan

Looks like SK is holding out an olive branch to Japan. SK always seems to be the most statesman like of the two countries, and show the most initiative.

At the end of the day, young people will decide. It's really nice when you see young Koreans and young Japanese having fun together, totally uninterested in political bickering.

-18 ( +2 / -20 )

OssanAmericaToday  08:29 am JST

South Korea is the one who has turned anti-Japan sentiment into a political tool. Unless South Korea accepts that historical issues which have already been addressed, negotiated and agreed have been finalized, there is no hope whatsoever of any improvement in relations.

I cite just 2 paragraphs from the document written in 1991:

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

If you are sincerely interested in the Korea-Japan relationship, download the document in .pdf to read through. It was written in 1991, but no difference even in 2021.

-20 ( +4 / -24 )

@MarkToday  09:34 am JST

People are diverse, and so do their thoughts and actions

the Japanese people who are traditionally obedient.

Pot, meet kettle.

That is what I heard from a Japanese professor. It sounds true, as long as the Japanese are tolerant of state-controlled history textbooks. In S. Korea, people do not accept it, and even toppled the government whose leader tried to control the history textbooks.

https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/165911

How about Japan?

-20 ( +3 / -23 )

@Coffee

It is time for the Japanese government to escape from the old attitudes originating from the WWII to be flexible in accepting the past history and facing the future.

As a Korean, I know from experience that the collectivism is a hundred times worse in South Korea, the country where people broke into the Japanese embassy, refused to refuel Japanese cars, set themselves on fires at protests, tried to make it mandatory to put in schools stickers that said “This device was made by a war criminal”, and harassed a U.S. diplomat for having a moustache similar to a Japanese general's. I grew up with my own parents constantly reminding me of what Japan did seventy years ago as if it happened yesterday.

You still do not tell between a state and the citizens. What you talk about is irrelevant of the S. Korean government, which does not encourage or involve in any action you mentioned. People are diverse, and so do their thoughts and actions, which you can not generalize by such a simplistic mindset.

While even S. Korean government could not meddle in the Abe statue installed by a Korean civilian last year, the Japanese government surprisingly protested against S. Korea, which well demonstrates the unique Japanese collectivism.

The problem here is the Japanese government has systematically controlled the thoughts and actions of the Japanese people who are traditionally obedient. For example, https://www.heritage.org/asia/report/the-pearl-harbor-anniversary-japan-still-says-dont-blame-me

This document was written in 1991, but in 30 years, virtually nothing has changed in Japan.

-22 ( +3 / -25 )

The Japanese government likes to politicizing civilian matters such as legal verdicts from courts and statues installed by civilians to protest against the S. Korean government, which seems to have been driven by the unique mindset of Japanese collectivism. On the other hand, the S. Korean government does not meddle in Japanese civilian matters such as anti-Korean propaganda by Japanese media or citizens, for example: https://dattarakinchan.hatenablog.com/entry/20181203/1543846906

The sequence is that Japan is now full of misinformation on S. Korea and S. Koreans, propagandized by the Japanese government and Netto-uyoku as exemplified in Yahoo.co.jp. It is time for the Japanese government to escape from the old attitudes originating from the WWII to be flexible in accepting the past history and facing the future.

-26 ( +8 / -34 )

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