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S Korean court orders Mitsubishi asset sale in wartime labor case

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As far as I'm concerned South Korea just tore up the 1965 treaty. Japan should at the very least expel the South Korean ambassador and withdraw their own from South Korea.

11 ( +20 / -9 )

Agreed.

With everything that's going on with China and North Korea.... Are this people serious.

11 ( +18 / -7 )

Instead of joining Quad Alliance.

Supporting Democratic Taiwan.

S.Korea is making Japan the issue, the problem, while getting closer to Beijing and Pyongyang.

10 ( +17 / -7 )

The problem is Japan, not S Korea.

Compare the education regarding ww2 in Germany compared to here and you will see the problem. For Japanese kids, ww2 is 2 paragraphs in a text book and 2 question in a test.

If you want to talk about education, there were children in South Korea who drew pictures of Japan being nuked with crayons that were posted in a public train station. Another time, Gyeonggi district proposed putting stickers on devices in all classrooms that said, "This device was made by a war criminal."

12 ( +18 / -6 )

If they liquidate Mitsubishi's assets, seize and liquidate one of theirs here.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Outrageous. It is 100% certain this is a politically ordered decision.

The Japanese government should seize assets of any Korean companies doing business in Japan, remove their diplomats from Seoul, and terminate all diplomatic relations until the SK gov't overturns this obscene ruling.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

The problem is Japan, not S Korea.

Compare the education regarding ww2 in Germany compared to here and you will see the problem. For Japanese kids, ww2 is 2 paragraphs in a text book and 2 question in a test.

If you want to talk about education, it should have been taught Do not break a promise, Do not tell a lie by South Korean parents and teachers.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

For "wartime labor" read "slave labor." That's what work without pay it and that is what the Japanese imperial government gave Korean workers.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

@Fighto!

The Japanese government should seize assets of any Korean companies doing business in Japan

Mitsubishi's assets are being seized and liquidated because Mitsubishi was found guilty of crimes against humanity.

Which Korean companies are being found guilty of crimes against humanity?

-9 ( +7 / -16 )

When you are doing business in a foreign country, you should comply with the local law and the verdict from the local court!

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

When you are doing business in a foreign country, you should comply with the local law and the verdict from the local court!

Wrong. If the court system in that nation is corrupt and political, and the laws wrong, you cannot expect another nation to comply.

Japan should not and will not comply with this biased ruling.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

@Fighto!

Japan should not and will not comply with this biased ruling.

Most Japanese companies in lawsuits are willing to settle. Nippon Steel went as far as to state in court document that they are willing to settle, but is prevented from doing so by Tokyo government.

Settlement is far cheaper than this protracted legal battle with mounting legal cost forced upon Japanese companies by Tokyo government.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Samit BasuToday  09:31 am JST

@Fighto!

The Japanese government should seize assets of any Korean companies doing business in Japan

Mitsubishi's assets are being seized and liquidated because Mitsubishi was found guilty of crimes against humanity.

Of course, South Korean Court found the defendants guilty without any fact-finding process based only on

so-called testimonies of the plaintiffs. Nonetheless, they do not apply the same method when the plaintiffs are comfort women for US/Korean troops.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Like it or not, the elected govt. of S. Korea made a deal with the elected govt. of Japan to restore diplomatic relations. As part of that deal, all war time claims were finalized forever.

I guess "forever" doesn't mean the same thing to the South.

Left or right, conservative or liberal, every administration in S. Korea has the same "break the glass" solution when in political trouble domestically - bash Japan. One can never go wrong in the South bashing Japan.

It's not Japan's fault that the govt of S. Korea took the money and then stiffed the survivors. That is on Korea.

The same goes to the comfort women. At the time, I thought that the Korean administration reached a lousy deal with the Abe administration, but they signed the deal. Then they decided that they were going to abrogate the deal.

This is not the basis for a stable diplomatic relationship.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

This is fun. Its kinda cute and sad.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

The funny thing is that Japan has already paid a fortune to them in payments and the victims never saw a penny of it. In other words, their own government pocketed the money pooped on their own people who deserved it. Now Japan is the S. Korean government's favorite whipping boy. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

We may have paid it all decades ago. At least that was the contract we signed. Are we to understand that the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea is no longer valid? That is, it is no longer binding on both our side and the South Korean side?

And why was it only after such a long period of time that it was found to be invalid?

In that case, I would demand the return of the money from South Korea that was paid under the 'Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea'. Because obviously it's null and void. When it's paid back, we can start talking again.

Some things really don't go to my head... But the worst part of all this is that in the next step, our far right politicians will again rain down brimstone and hatred on all sides in buckets, and in the step after that, there will again be some excess from South Korea.

I have a theory - politicians in Japan and South Korea are mostly geronts in their 70s. The older they get, the smaller the brain and the more childish excesses and unprofessionalism. Not like the leadership of a country, but more like a kindergarten...

0 ( +2 / -2 )

WaddoToday  07:46 am JST

The problem is Japan, not S Korea. 

Compare the education regarding ww2 in Germany compared to here and you will see the problem. For Japanese kids, ww2 is 2 paragraphs in a text book and 2 question in a test.

Good and valid point here,let me add that the other major axis country Italy has a strong anti fascist constitution and children learn extensively about the atrocities committed by the fascists.

Japanese children become brainwashed from the right wingers propaganda from childhood.

We might get many downvoters about our comments in this thread due to the Japan apologists,the manga lovers and right wingers with multiple accounts but we know that in other parts of the world we have a point.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

down voters are really not need. Show how petty a person is. I bet if their name was applied to their down vote they would not have the kannackas to do so. Like just watch these low life downvotes this comment.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The funny thing is that Japan has already paid a fortune to them in payments and the victims never saw a penny of it. In other words, their own government pocketed the money pooped on their own people who deserved it. Now Japan is the S. Korean government's favorite whipping boy. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Japan’s amen corner busy at it again with their mealy mouthed mea culpas and distortions; desperate in their determination to invoke the travesty of a travesty 1965 Treaty and it’s bargain basement pennies on the pound compensation for 35 years of Japanese military rule and a civil war which was a direct consequence of that occupation. Very little magnanimity, starting with their assiduous (and successful) efforts to exclude Korea from being represented in its own right at the postwar San Francisco Peace Conference, through to the 1965 ‘deal’ with the wartime collaborator President Park, the monetary value of which pales into insignificance compared to what dismembered and genuinely contrite Germany paid and goes on paying and which is constantly being renegotiated to this day. Facts which, try as they might, our amiable hosts simply cannot avoid.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

politicians in Japan and South Korea are mostly geronts in their 70s.

They're still younger than the octogenarians in Washington DC

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Japan’s amen corner busy at it again with their mealy mouthed mea culpas and distortions; desperate in their determination to invoke the travesty of a travesty 1965 Treaty and it’s bargain basement pennies on the pound compensation for 35 years of Japanese military rule and a civil war which was a direct consequence of that occupation. 

Those who always bash Japan as the reason (or as direct consequence of Japan's annexation which none of countries have even officially defined illegal except Koreas) of Korean war never tell why the occupied must go into civil war afterwards. What a ridiculous reasoning. What you blame Japan as an aggressor during WW2 would probably be discharged because it was Asian civil wars right after Western occupation of entire Asia.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

In the first place, Korea's victim-blaming attitude toward Japan over World War II is quite laughable.

First of all, the annexation of Korea and Japan was accomplished through a treaty, even though Koreans today do not recognize it.

Despite the twists and turns of Japanese rule, Korean children went to school, went on school excursions that are still going on in Japan today, represented Korea in high school baseball games, and went on to study at universities established on the Korean peninsula or on the Japanese mainland.

Interestingly, all of those who claimed that their father was a victim of conscription testified that they and their siblings were attending Japanese schools at that time.

Imagine, a strange testimony that their parents were treated badly, but they themselves attended school and classes. Moreover, without exception, they lived in the family room of the company housing.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

In case you are wondering, the way of life of Koreans and Japanese at that time can be found, albeit indirectly, in films made by Korean directors between 1935 and 1945, as well as in Japanese films starring famous actors such as Ryu Chishu. Also, Korean film directors at that time were taught their techniques by Japanese film companies, and later established their own film companies while shooting films.

These films are more faithful to history than the propaganda films made by Koreans today, even if there is some beautification. At least, as a matter of historical fact, Koreans at that time could afford to establish a film company. Moreover, Japanese youths at the same time were being drafted into the army for the war against China. On the other hand, young Koreans were not drafted until 1944, and the war ended after only training, not in time for actual combat.

If you are interested in movies from that time, search for "Spring of Korean Peninsula". It is a film shot in 1941 by a Korean director.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

On the other hand, young Koreans were not drafted until 1944, and the war ended after only training, not in time for actual combat.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/15/i-dont-have-much-hope-koreans-search-for-loved-ones-who-died-fighting-for-japan

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

oyatoiToday  02:49 pm JST

On the other hand, young Koreans were not drafted until 1944, and the war ended after only training, not in time for actual combat.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/15/i-dont-have-much-hope-koreans-search-for-loved-ones-who-died-fighting-for-japan

The guardian is not a historian, simply reporting what his family mentioned. Kenshin_u is correct, forcible conscription did not take place for Koreans before 1944. Kim Dong-won must be a volunteer who survived 30 times competition magnification.

We all know how Korean coordination of telling the same story has been like here in Japan and over there in South Korea. The Key word = CONSCRIPTED

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Mitsubishi can do business in North Korea, they don't have such laws like the South! Unless you pissed off K.J. that might be unpredictable !

0 ( +0 / -0 )

KennyG: Kenshin_u is correct, forcible conscription did not take place for Koreans before 1944.

Kenshin_u: On the other hand, young Koreans were not drafted until 1944, and the war ended after only training, not in time for actual combat.

You’re flogging a dead horse KennyG. Your partner in denial said no Korean draftees saw actual combat. A fallacious assertion contradicted by numerous historical sources. Another one for you below.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/23720161

Long before those military draftees were sent to war zones from 1944, there were enormous numbers of Korean civilians (both draftees as well as volunteers) serving in support roles assisting the Japanese war machine on its murderous march through Asia.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

It was the strong local civilian population that supported the Japanese military's rapid advance in China. In the areas of China where Japanese troops were stationed, civilians also raised the Japanese flag, and there are many records of improved security in the safe zones.

In that war with China, a truly large number of young Japanese were drafted into the army. On the other hand, young Koreans were never drafted, and some of them went on to make a living by directing films or starting their own companies.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"Spring of Korean Peninsula (1941) https://youtu.be/T0MiZnCvb7s "

This film was shot by a film company, film director, original story, script, and actors, all Korean.

The filmmaker's name is I Pyeong-Ir, and he was born in Korea in 1910.

After graduating from high school in Korea in 1927, he moved to Japan to learn English.

(Besides, Korean high schools at that time also had school trips like those seen in Japanese cartoons.)

While attending an English language school in Japan, he founded a record company with a Korean acquaintance in 1933. With that company, he produced the theme song for a movie called Shunpu, which was directed by another Korean, and also produced new singers.

After graduating from English school in 1935, he applied for an assistant director position at a film company called Shochiku, but was offered a position as an actor, which he turned down.

And in April of the same year, he joined a film company called Nikkatsu. He studied film direction under a Japanese man named Yutaka Abe.

In 1940, I founded a company called Myonbo Films with a Korean friend of mine. This company shot the first film I mentioned, "Spring on the Peninsula". The film won an award in Japan and was a box office success.

By the way, those who claim that Koreans were oppressed by Japan, can they rationally explain how he was able to do this under such oppression? I doubt it.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

When a 2ちゃんねる fanboy leaves the safety and comfort of the echo chamber for the first time you’ve got to expect more than the occasional own goal.

I've already given you an example. Are you capable of a reasonable rebuttal?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

There are other unreasonable cases against Japanese oppression that Korea claims. This is the fact that many of the famous Korean companies today were founded during the Japanese occupation. This includes Lotte Corporation, Samsung, LG, and Amorepacific.

As for LG, it has a record of overcoming a crisis in operations by receiving a loan from a Japanese company.

The reason why they are powerful companies in Korea today is because they were able to accumulate wealth during the Japanese occupation.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

oyatoiSep. 29  10:17 pm JST

KennyG: Kenshin_u is correct, forcible conscription did not take place for Koreans before 1944.

Kenshin_u: On the other hand, young Koreans were not drafted until 1944, and the war ended after only training, not in time for actual combat.

You’re flogging a dead horse KennyG. Your partner in denial said no Korean draftees saw actual combat. A fallacious assertion contradicted by numerous historical sources. Another one for you below.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/23720161

Long before those military draftees were sent to war zones from 1944, there were enormous numbers of Korean civilians (both draftees as well as volunteers) serving in support roles assisting the Japanese war machine on its murderous march through Asia.

Reading Abstract seems more than enough. There's none from the peninsula who had been drafted through

legal coercion before the end of 1944 to carry weapons at around war zones. People are just fed up with this kind of story made up. So much for the thesis from someone at University of Hawaii.

Like Mao Tse-tung or Kim Il-Sung, these scums just did not care to massacre their fellow ethnos in order to rule the lands, just like current North Korea sacrificing it's people to maintain Kim Dynasty.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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