North-Korea wants Japan to apologize

Davey · 16 Aug 2010

North Korea wants Japan to apologise
05:55 AM Aug 14, 2010
North Korea called on Japan to offer an apology and compensation for its harsh colonial rule, days after Tokyo apologised to South Korea for its annexation of the peninsula, without mentioning the North.

North Koreans harbour deep resentment against Japan for mobilising Koreans for forced labour and as sex slaves during the occupation from 1910 to 1945.

On Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan apologised for the "enormous damage and suffering" caused by his country and expressed "deep remorse".

His statement was aimed specifically at South Korea, in contrast to earlier apologies by Japan to its Asian neighbours. The South Korean Foreign Ministry said the government had "paid attention" to the apology, while South Korean President Lee Myung Bak told Mr Naoto in a phone conversation that he "took note" of it.

source

What do you think? Do you think that Japan should also apologize towards N-korea because of the things they have done there, or should N-Korea first work on a better relationship with Japan before Japan will apologize to N-Korea as well.

Ewok85 · 16 Aug 2010

Dutch Baka said:
What do you think? Do you think that Japan should also apologize towards N-korea because of the things they have done there, or should N-Korea first work on a better relationship with Japan before Japan will apologize to N-Korea as well.

I think the Japanese policy of recognising only SK as the ruling government of the peninsula to be the correct one.

Nuala · 17 Aug 2010

Ewok85 said:
I think the Japanese policy of recognising only SK as the ruling government of the peninsula to be the correct one.

I agree completely, Ewok85. It seems proper to address the country that hasn't abducted Japanese citizens, and is cooperating with the global community. While it's obvious that Koreans that were affected by Japan's annexation live in North Korea, it shouldn't apply to the North Korean government.

noyhauser · 17 Aug 2010

Um, first off, maybe someone can answer whether this was an intentional slight or North Korea blowing some wording out of proportion for domestic consumption?

And even if it was deliberate Thor, its not because North Korea is the "illegitimate government of Korea." It is a legitimate government, which I believe is recognized by all states. Finally, is the slight any worse than, oh, setting off three nuclear devices, testing an IRBM over another country's territory, sinking a patrol frigate and killing half her crew or capturing a fishing boat and holding its crew captive?

Elizabeth · 19 Aug 2010

Japan should never have apologized again to South Korea. It has already paid over a billion dollars in compensation (1965 money!) for the 1.03 million Koreans conscripted into the workforce + military during the colonial period and basically made the country what it is today.

No need for any further apologies from Japan.

...Or maybe that can wait until D.P.R.K. gives compensation to the South for killing the 46 sailors of the Cheonan, the victims of the flight 858 and compensation to Japan for the abductions. Only then do they have the right to demand reparations from others.

Ewok85 · 19 Aug 2010

Elizabeth said:
No need for any further apologies from Japan.

You don't think Japan Government should apologize for its part in forcing women into sexual slavery during WWII? They've done a good job of avoiding that exact wording, which is why the continue to apologize for everything and the kitchen sink, and its why the apologies are always received badly.

Elizabeth · 19 Aug 2010

Ewok85 said:
You don't think Japan Government should apologize for its part in forcing women into sexual slavery during WWII? They've done a good job of avoiding that exact wording, which is why the continue to apologize for everything and the kitchen sink, and its why the apologies are always received badly.

Supporters of comfort women will not be satisfied with anything less than a DIET resolution as it is binding for the successors. But I don't see a that in the near future - not until the political system in Japan is fixed.

Japanese prime ministers are compelled to keep issuing new apologies because the revisionist right questions their legitimacy. But those conservatives are completely marginalized in the DPJ system. So Kan may have to seriously sob this time but would do it I think, to exploit history for political gain if nothing else.

The reason he won't is that it would only make a bad situation worse to have a statement not accepted by all parties in good faith at this point.

let`s talk · 5 Sep 2010

Elizabeth said:
Japan should never have apologized again to South Korea.

Giving a citizenship to zainichi would be a better start.

borderbreaker · 12 Sep 2010

it's not just the apology that's needed, there should also be an active effort to make people aware of the the actual history rather than just ignoring it

North-Korea wants Japan to apologize

Davey

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Ewok85

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Nuala

Hell's Finest Daughter

noyhauser

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Elizabeth

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Ewok85

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Elizabeth

先輩

let`s talk

Kouhai

borderbreaker

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