In August 2015, a South Korean man set himself on fire to protest Japan’s human rights
abuses in Korea in the early 20th century.
A recent BBC poll found that a majority of South Koreans hold negative views of the Japanese.
So why does South Korea hate Japan?
Well, beginning in the late 19th century, Japan established dominance over Korea, and
from 1910 to 1945, it was annexed as a Japanese colony.
Japan’s military leadership was harsh, but it did help modernize Korea.
However, after the war, Japan surrendered control of Korea to the Soviet Union and United
States, who split the country in two.
This would later be known as time of great confusion and turmoil in Korea, culminating
in the devastating Korean War.
Japan had previously occupied most high-level military positions before 1945, so there were
few Korean leaders that held enough power to unite the whole country again amid the
political chaos.
Although Japan has made apologies to Korea for their colonial rule, many Koreans still
feel the apologies lack sincerity.
One of the worst effects of Japan’s influence was the mandatory establishment of brothels
in Korea and other neighboring countries like China during World War 2.
“comfort women," as the sex slaves were called, were often kidnapped and forced to
work.
After the war was over and the brothels were disbanded, tens of thousands of surviving
women, who had dealt with STDs and traumatic injuries, were not acknowledged by Japanese
leaders until the 1990s.
Additionally, some Japanese textbooks have allegedly ignored and whitewashed this part
of history, sparking anger among South Koreans.
Weekly rallies calling for Japan’s further acknowledgement of these tragedies have occurred
outside Japan’s embassy in South Korea since 1992.
Further territorial disputes have added to the discord.
A string of islands, valued for their fishing reserves and natural gas resources, have been
claimed by both countries.
Even the name of the “Sea of Japan” between them, is a source of debate.
South Koreans prefer the less possessive term the “East Sea."
These issues have contributed to diminished trade relations and diplomatic deadlock.
The heart of many of their disputes is based on Japan always coming out ahead, partially
based on their subjugation of Korea.
Although South Korea has proven itself to be one of the most prosperous and promising
asian economies, the lasting effects of war and Japanese imperialism have kept them one
step behind their neighbor.
In the long run however, despite old, unhealed wounds, the two nations have been allies in
the face of other hostile nations, like Russia and North Korea.
South Korea and Japan’s proximity to one another has encouraged an overlapping popular
culture, and complementary economies.
Although the two countries have dealt with more than a century of strife, they are still
massively reliant on each other.
South Korea’s not the only country that hates Japan.
China’s also got an ongoing grudge, and with good reason.
Find out about that in this video.
Thanks for watching us on Test Tube!
Remember to like and subscribe to get new videos daily.