politics

Pope urges Koreans to forge peace; greets ex-comfort women

28 Comments
By NICOLE WINFIELD and JUNG-YOON CHOI

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28 Comments
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Too bad Papa Pope didn't visit Nagasaki. The story of the resilience, loyalty, and grit of the Japanese Christians (Catholics) of Nagasaki through the Edo period of sakoku is a tale which in length of time (generations) dwarfs even the story of WWII vet Hiroo Onada hiding out in the Philippines for 30 years. After the Black Ships opened Japan the Nagasaki christians came out of the wordwork where they had been praying and breeding for 250 years, and built the Urakami Cathedral to service their growing numbers. Later, in an ironic twist of fate, the Urakami Cathedral ended up as the visually identifiable landmark target used for the nuclear bomb dropped on Nagasaki. I only pray that political considerations did not influence his decision not to visit.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hating Japan is SK's way of life. They live it and breath it. No amount of apology would be enough to change their mindset. They're Koreans afterall.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Japan should build a monument right in Tokyo that lists all projects ,all financial helps, all apologies which Japan offered to Korea after WW2. Words engraved in stone , last forever.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@jerseyboy I can't help but laugh at your comment regarding the commonalities "shared" by Japan, China, and Korea. You complain about Japan all of the time on here, not one positive comment ever.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Many indifferent japanese like Mr Abe and others alike will never understand the sorrow and hardship under a brutal regime for half a century. For many Koreans religion was the only salvation that saved from the ruthless invaders.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Whirled Peas

Thanks for the post. Very informative. You summarized them very well.

To note, more detailed information can be found on the Asian Women Fund site (which includes post interviews from key individuals who were involved in the formation and distribution of funds) as well as the recent Kono Statement review by the committee.

It really highlights the failure of the Korean government to honor their agreement and their need to keep this issue alive.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Kato_KoshiroAug. 19, 2014 - 01:40AM JST I thought this thread was about Pope Francis advising fellow Koreans from north and south to ponder about >forgiveness and peace between them

It was. But South Korea just couldn't pass up the opportunity to milk the Comfort Women issue with an international audience.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I thought this thread was about Pope Francis advising fellow Koreans from north and south to ponder about forgiveness and peace between them. Not the old Japan blablabla you people love to put on track for any reason. Pitiful that the holy father can't visit the north side where people needs the most for a good preacher.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Seems like the pope is right. I doubt NK will listen though.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Having looked into this issue just a little bit over the last few years I've evolved the the point of view that there is a lot of misinformation and exaggeration on some of these issues coming from Japan's former colonies and enemies. However, I also think they have real reasons to have grudges vis a vis history. As I said in earlier comments, Japan has an opportunity to be "bigger." And it might be smart to focus some "bigness" on SK first and especially. How about: "people argue over details and these arguments can cause hurt and bitterness. But what is clear is that Japan has to atone for it's past and the way it treated your country. People can disagree over various points but there is no disagreement that Japan acted dishonorably and brutally in the past and needs to display an attitude of regret and apology. Having said that, we ask you to be our friend and to work with us towards a new future. We see you as a friend and we think the only way forward is together." Words are not going to do it all but it's a start. But are there any politicians in Japan who can see past the next election? It might be necessary.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

He challenged them to “firmly reject a mindset shaped by suspicion, confrontation and competition, and instead to shape a culture formed by the teaching of the Gospel and the noblest traditional values of the Korean people.”

Very powerful message. Wish he would have the opportunity to say the same thing to the folks in Japan and China as well, because it is just as relevant to all three. All three have "the noblest tradional values" as he says, with proud histories. But, as he also says, the three countries have fallen into a pattern of "suspicion, confrontation, and competition".

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

If only the Pope could get Kim Jong Un to forge peace instead of killing his own family members and launching missiles.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

"Francis said in his homily that reconciliation can be brought about only by forgiveness, even if it seems “impossible, impractical and even at times repugnant.”

The Pontiff is right on. But will South Korea listen?

Ossan -- just what I expected. Personally, I would wager that given the Pope's message, the South Korean's could not just listen, but also act in this regard. But it would take Japenese leaders to stop saying "but" every time issues like this are raised to finally put the issue to bed. But will Japan?

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

Unfortunately the fact is people try to rationalize away the need to take action. With seeking forgiveness, our pride can get in the way, because asking for forgiveness requires us to be humble. Forgiveness is a gift to yourself. The only way to move forward in life is to make the choice to forgive your loved ones, friends, yourself, or even strangers who have wronged you, consciously or unintentionally. Hanging on to anger, bitterness, and resentment doesn't just hurt the heart, it can significantly and negatively impact your life. In the end forgiveness allows the wounds to be healed.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Papi2013Aug. 18, 2014 - 12:36PM JST "Nope. Japan has apologized and settled all WII matters in 1965. Koreans just don't know how to forgive," Forgive what? Isn't your position (as well as Japan's) that comfort women were prostitutes?

Nope. Maybe you should actually read my posts before deciding what my position actually is. I have repeated frequently that the Comfort Women were mostly girls and women who were deceived into thinking they would be working in factories or elsewhere, those who were sold off by their families to settle dents (a common practice in East Asia at the time), those who were working in kisaengs, and those who were practicing prostitutes, a legal occupation at the time, and some who "may" have been victims of forced abduction. And that a good portion of of the recruiting was done by Korean Agents working for the Japanese military. But the fact is your statement, "all comfort women were prostitutes" is correct, they were all recruited military prostitutes under employment. The debate is about HOW they were recruited. I strongly suggest you read "The Comfort Women" by C Sarah Soh to gain a greater insight into the issue. I tend to think the Pope is learned and has a wider picture of the issue than the kind you project.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Religion and politics are strange bedfellows! They do not mix!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Korean attitude to try to use even Pope for their politics or propaganda has just disgusted Japanese people. It is too apparent. They will not be able to get any reaction they are expecting from Japan, but indifference.

It is good for them though that there has been a certain economic effect of this visit.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

The idea of South Korea is to shame Japan by bringing out the issue of comfort women but being a Pope, he sidestepped the issue and went straight to the core of the matter...He said learn to forgive and you can have peace.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

You've heard the pope! Forge peace now!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Pope says turn the other cheek. Full stop.

My guess is he was trying to avoid inflaming that further, and relations between Japan and the nations it has wronged and still denies wrong-doing towards will be addressed (ie. "strive for peace with neighbors") if he comes here.

Maybe he was just following WWJD rather than WWSIJD. He's a pope, not a politican.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Ossan: better question is why won't YOU listen? The Pope was talking about reconciliation between SK, NK, and China, and yet you ask only if SK will listen due to your irrational hatred towards and jealousy of them.

Oldman: why not towards Japan? Meeting the former sex slaves is enough to get you guys all miffed and upset. My guess is he was trying to avoid inflaming that further, and relations between Japan and the nations it has wronged and still denies wrong-doing towards will be addressed (ie. "strive for peace with neighbors") if he comes here. And needless to say, China and especially NK are more of a pressing threat, and in particular there needs to be resolution and forgiveness with NK, as they are still 'brothers'.

-7 ( +11 / -18 )

@OssanAmerica Nope. Japan has apologized and settled all WII matters in 1965. Koreans just don't know how to forgive,

This is the way not to be the "bigger" person. A more mature approach would be, "we continue to feel sorry and continue to ask for forgiveness as we also ask you to move into the future with us in a new mutually beneficial partnership." With the still recent departure of Mandela Is it too much to ask someone to follow in his footsteps and step out of circular hostility to ask for better future? The past is important but so is the future. If some SKs are being brought up to hate than a kiss on the cheek (see ":The Grand Inquisitor") will do more than returning slaps. I think hostility is a kind of politicians business/sham in both countries.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Nope. Japan has apologized and settled all WII matters in 1965. Koreans just don't know how to forgive,

Forgive what? Isn't your position (as well as Japan's) that comfort women were prostitutes?

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

Papi2013Aug. 18, 2014 - 12:11PM JST "Francis said in his homily that reconciliation can be brought about only by forgiveness, even if it seems “impossible, impractical and even at times repugnant.” The Pontiff is right on. But will South Korea listen? But according to you, there's nothing to forgive since Japan didn't do anything wrong. Just saying.

Nope. Japan has apologized and settled all WII matters in 1965. Koreans just don't know how to forgive,

-5 ( +17 / -22 )

"Francis said in his homily that reconciliation can be brought about only by forgiveness, even if it seems “impossible, impractical and even at times repugnant.” The Pontiff is right on. But will South Korea listen?

But according to you, there's nothing to forgive since Japan didn't do anything wrong. Just saying.

-8 ( +9 / -17 )

How about preaching that same message in regards to South Koreans towards Japan, pontiff.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

"Francis said in his homily that reconciliation can be brought about only by forgiveness, even if it seems “impossible, impractical and even at times repugnant.”

The Pontiff is right on. But will South Korea listen?

1 ( +15 / -14 )

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