Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

To protest Japan's claim to the Tokto islands, Heo Gyeong-wuk, a member of a group supporting World War II victims, set himself on fire yesterday in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. He was rushed to hospital.
JoongAng Daily (March 19, 2005)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200503/18/200503182223549409900090409041.html

[Cthulhu]

They are really getting serious about this one--anyone checked out Yahoo Korea's homepage lately?

http://kr.yahoo.com/

Look at the Yahoo logo top center. For even more fun, click on it.

[Ryst Helmut]

A couple thoughts...

I wonder what issue it would take in order for me to knowingly set myself on fire. Seriously.

Is it sick for me to be glad that the Korean people are angry at a nation other than America?

!Shoosh

Ryst

[Gwangjuboy]

There is a history of doing this in Korea. Two other incidents spring to mind. After 5.18 one of the students burnt himself of KeumNam Road in Gwangju. A korean farmer also once stabbed himself to death at a WTO meeting. Nuts really.

[little mixed girl]

[Cthulhu]

"Our land"

The Survivor idea sounds good.

[Hyalucent]

With a Japanese tribe and Korean tribe?

[animalbirdfish]

My problem with these actions (immoliation, cutting off one's digits) is that when done over an issue like Dokdo, they really trivialize the acts. It runs the risk of losing its impact when someone does it for a more "serious" issue.

I'm sure everyone remembers the famous photo of the Buddhist monk in Saigon setting himself ablaze to protest the atrocities there. That, I understand. Hundreds of thousands were being killed in the name of politics.

And apparently - according to the gf - a famous Korean folk-protest singer torched himself back in the eighties to protest the situation here. Fair enough, Korea was trying to break out from under a repressive dicatorship at the time.

But Dokdo is not what I'd call a, um, burning issue (seriously, no pun intended). I know some Koreans perceive it as an extension of past Japanese atrocities, but in reality it's just a few country bumpkins stirring up the ol' hornet's nest. Korea has possession of Dokdo and Japan's not likely to start a war over it, so Koreans (the ones who are riled up about it anyway) need to take a breath and stop mutilating themselves over some rocks in the Sea of Japan (let's not get started on that).

Time to tell Japan, "Hey, we've got it. It's ours. End of debate." And refuse to discuss it. By arguing with Japan, protesting in the streets, etc., Koreans are just giving credence to Japan's side of the story.

Demanding apologies from Japan (which I guess they've given) is like a little kid getting socked by a bigger kid on the playground and then demanding an apology which, of course, the bigger kid won't give. It just makes the little one look weaker.

People: Stop burning yourselves. Stop cutting off your fingers. And admit that alienating Japan over some islands isn't really worth it.

[jajdude]

Japan could also perhaps help itself by granting this territory to Korea. I don't know for sure, but it seems like maybe it might benefit more if it did so. Koreans are burning Japanese stuff and may begin boycotting Japanese products, and hell, some Japanese here may get hurt! When dealing with a sickness it might be best to concede something if it isn't too important. It might avoid a greater woe.

[Derrek]

Let them torch themselves. Let them cut off body parts.

It's pure stupidity, and I'd go so far as to say, "grandstanding" in this case.

I'll be impressed when someone cuts off their *beep*.

[The Great Toad]

That had to hurt Christ save the poor guy is he dead now? - mmmm well the bright side is they get 3rd degree burn practice.

Ahhh but I see another Falkland war coming - And you know if Japan invades my Jeju island I'll side with them, much better food and electronics will be mine. No no I'm all about peace- I hope they all just stop being so petty.

[indiercj]

I'll add a different perspective to this issue.

I believe the Japanese who claim 'Takeshima' to be their own land are mostly right wing activists. I am afraid the ones that are at the front line of Korean protest right now are also hardline right wingers.

There is no question that Dokdo has been and is Korean territory in my mind, but I would like to draw a clear line between what most Koreans think about this island and what those "fanatic nationalists" believe in. These people are actually using this opportunity to make one good spectacle out of this.

Shouting "Banzai" in Japan or yelling "Mansae" in Korea doesn't make much difference since they are all public enemies for the future or both countries. What they are doing is no more than taking advantage of this golden opportunity to gain more political grounds for themselves. Very dangerous people.

[canadian_in_korea]

I don't know enough about the Dokdo situation....but what I don't understand is this....Japan had to leave Korea when the world war ended....right? If so.....then why has it taken them so long to make a claim on this island? I told my husband.....if an international court says that japan owns the island....then Korea should file for financial reimbursment.....for the last ...what...60 years....for maintaining the island. My husband says that there are Korean soldiers on the island....so why has japan waited until now...? Geez...if nothing else Korea would have squatters rights....even if it didn't belong to them....

[On the other hand]

Indie wrote:

[On the other hand]