Jiho Kim comments

Posted in: U.S. drops atomic bombs on Japan in 1945: How AP reported it See in context

Dear Daniel.

I'd love to hear more from Japanese people about this matter. I'm sure most of them are nice people. In fact, I have 3 Japanese friends all of whom are really good, polite guys. But you see, there is a huge discrepancy on how we view the past. As you've mentioned, the Japanese people may point out that their colonizing Korea resulted in "developments" in Korea so it was beneficial in some ways, but most Koreans would disagree with that. (And they'd be rather offended at such statement.)

I've learned that Japan laid out a lot of infrastructure in Korea such as railways, industrial factories and modern financial system and so on, but we Koreans don't believe that any of them was done with good intentions. Rather, all of it was to exploit Korea faster, in a more efficient way. OK, even if it's true that some influenced Korea in a positive way, as a whole Japan did much more harm than good in Korea. That's why we can't appreciate the colonial period in any way at all.

But then again, you would disagree with me... So we have this distinct gap in our understanding here. I just hope that through honest conversation Korea and Japan could bridge this gap one day. It's a very complicated matter and nobody seems able to solve it... but all I wish with Japan is peace and more partnership in the future.

Oh, more competition, too. The soccer game between Korea and Japan's A team ended as a draw 2 hours ago. I hope we win next time! :P

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Posted in: U.S. drops atomic bombs on Japan in 1945: How AP reported it See in context

I'm a South Korean but I feel truly sorry for all the civilian casualties of the atomic bombings in Japan. I read "Barefoot Gen" recently and felt that nuclear bombing is something too brutal to be allowed for humanity. It should not have happened, nor should ever happen again.

From my understanding, the majority of civilians supported the war but they were thoroughly brainwashed so they believed that they were going through those hardships in order to bring peace to the Pacific... They even thought victory was just around the corner. I don't blame them for that. Rather, I feel pity for them. If I were born there as a Japanese at that time, I might as well have been just like them. It's the Imperial military government who's to blame.

Nevertheless, I want to point out that Japan wasn't just a victim but a brutal aggressor, too. I'd like to ask the people of Japan that in remembering their sufferings from the war, they would also remember the sufferings of their victims who were killed, raped, forced into harsh physical labor, robbed of all necessities, deprived of all rights for during the times of Japanese Occupation. That, too, was as atrocious the two atomic bombings in Japan.

I'm saying this because it seems to me that the general tendency in Japan is to skip the part where they were the cruel aggressor, and only emphasize the part where they suffered as victims. No, Japan... you've got to remember and teach the younger generation both sides clearly. As long as this is done I'd be happy to leave the past grudges in the past and move on.

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