Korean Job Discussion Forums

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

#@&%$

Guri Guy · Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Location: Bamboo Island

I think Japan has apologized on a number of occasions. I have read that the United States absolved them of any wrongdoing by declaring that the Emperor did not have to apologize. The Emperor was the leader of the country so the United States basically let them off the hook. Japan has apologized a number of times and even paid compensation. This is not enough though.
I think Korea is so stubborn though that I think ultimately Japan will have to invent a time machine to get Korea to forgive them. Poland has forgiven Germany and Russia for much worse things. I don't believe either country apologized for their annexation of Poland in 1795. Poland ceased to be a country for 123 years. Korea was occupied for 35 years. Korea needs to stop living in the past and needs to start looking to the future.

matthewwoodford · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Location, location, location.

Gwangjuboy · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England

Homer · Guest

G-boy,

You call Nankin a "mistake"????? Shocked

Good lord...what about the camps in China and the brutal occupation of Manchuria by the Imperial army?

Also a small "mistake" by the Japanese.

Let's get something clear here: the Japanese of today should not be blamed for the past. But, Japan does have a past and did commit atrocities during WW II. This is what they have never truly acknowledged or apologized for.

As for Korea, the occupation may have some very marginal benefits but it was still an imposed occupation from a foreign power. It still did what all colonialism did: relegate the locals to second class citizens and exploit the country for the mother nations benefit alone. There is no way around that and any way you want to paint it, this was pure and simple imperialism.

Should Koreans put water in their wine when it comes to Japan today? Yes they should and most do.

Should they simply forgive and forget. I do not think so, not as long as Japan has not owned up to their war atrocities.

Finally G-boy, it is not your place or mine to forgive the Japanese for what they did in China or Korea. Why? Because we are not nationals of these countries!

Pretty simple no?