The story is great, particularly, because obviously made by a concerned and honest Korean. I do like that Kwangju mother, by the way, and korean mothers can be very strict (and loud, hehe), also to their husbands.
I also like the right and very fine description of dishonesty, which applies to much more than just Koreans. . .;-):
Such behavior generally has its roots in the arrogance and egotism of those who feel that what they do is always right and anything that gets in the way is wrong. It also springs from a perception that the best strategy is to reject anything that does not fit in with your beliefs -- for example by thinking that you don't have to abide by laws you have decided are "evil".
Obviously a very reliable and grown up writer.(I suppose, he had a fine mother. . .)
But as for the war cases, it has been examined by many different forces in the world, not just Koreans, plus lots of facts. Enough to get a clear picture, that is very well accepted all over. And also hereabout, and we are as much Korean friends for long, as Japanese friends, thus you can expect a fair handling of the case. Since we also have two Universities, one from the former west and one from the former east, you may imagine, that the outcome, if combined and confirmed by both sides (who had different relations to different parts of this), is even more clear.
And we are particularly sensitive towards wars and according crimes, and lies about it.
As for his positive picture about Japanese, obviously the real picture has changed a bit in relation to several cases. . .he may have to take off his pink glasses. They may be less direct than the Koreans, but as for lies, there are many ways to lie, distributing wrong informations or holding back right ones already are one. . .usually it shows in the long run anyhow. Particularly in public matters.
As for my experiences about Koreans, those, that I know(and I know many, here and in Korea), are far from cheating, in contrary, they may best be described of being from the writer's corner. I had more Japanese trying to cheat here, than Koreans, in relation. But I thought, its the western influences, that made them become so, by imitating or adapting their, uumm, our "game" (who is the first one to say. . .). This is also wellknown.
The Koreans on one hand, are not necessarily as much into "hiding", as the Japanese are, who are hiding a lot under the politeness carpet. . .while the Koreans can be very direct. Thus more comes out into the open and ends up in court, not to forget.
Here in the German Japanese society, we all know the war-crimes to be real, and are nevertheless friends of the Japanese, if you get my point. We would be VERY ashamed for the Japanese, if they try to oppose all this. They are loosing a lot of credibility this way and would force foreign people to stay away from that society even.
Do think yourself over, dear Japanese. We do not wish to be ashamed for being your friends, if that tells you something.
Do come and visit our Holocaust museum in Berlin, for example, or other places of our dark past, to see, how it can be handled with honesty, and that it does not hurt anyone of the new generations, but stays as a warning, not to repeat it.