Japan Lawmakers Take Out Full Page Ad on Comfort Women
UPDATE: As expected this ad has opened a firestorm of debate. You can read a whole lot more on this development over at the Marmot’s Hole, Ampontan, and Occidentalism. Occidentalism has a blown up version of the ad that you can read here.
Just by reading the comments on each of these sites you can see that this ad has done nothing more than just polarize even further each side on this issue.
________________________________________
This is definitely not going to help this issue go away:
A group of Japanese lawmakers in a full-page ad in the Washington Post on Thursday denied the Japanese government and military had a hand in conscripting women from Asian countries as sex slaves for the Imperial Army during World War II. Titled “The Factsâ€, the ad published Wednesday claims “no historical document has ever been found†proving the direct involvement of the Japanese government and military, contrary to a recent U.S. congressional resolution sponsored by the Democrat Representative Mike Honda. The ad was co-sponsored by some Japanese academics, political commentators and journalists.
This ad is going to do nothing to change anyones attitudes about the comfort women issue and will only inflame passions on each side. I have laid out before what I think the Japanese government should do on this issue and I will explain it here again.
I believe that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should turn the tables on all the holier than thou demagogues criticizing Japan over the comfort women issue by apologizing for war time sexual slavery again, but this time in a large public speech to draw maximum media attention. During this speech then announce that Japan to atone for its past sins would become a champion of women’s rights beginning with the plight of modern day sexual slavery of North Korean women in China that both the South Korean and Chinese governments choose to ignore. Than announce that Japan would then start accepting North Korean defectors into Japan and become an outspoken advocate of NK defectors unlike South Korea which has a quasi governmental policy of stopping NK defectors.
Then make sure to have a translation of the speech in English to hand out to reporters so the New York Times can’t intentionally misquote translations again. Such a change in rhetoric and policy would instantly shine a spotlight on the moral bankruptcy of both China and South Korea while simultaneously aiding the plight of the NK defectors.
Would governments and the media go after China like they are currently attacking Japan? Probably not because China consistently gets a pass from the media and international governments, but it should be enough to silence them about the comfort women issue. As it stands now Abe’s approach of fighting over definitions of “coercion†and funding advertisements in the Washington Post only plays into the hands of the demagogues who have no intention of letting this issue go.
Prime Minister Abe could apologize for everything from the comfort women issue and the Nanjing Massacre to the Hideyoshi invasions of Korea starting in 1592 and the Japanese piracy of Shilla and Tang dynasty shipping even before then, followed by committing seppuku on top of Namsan mountain in Seoul for everyone to see and it would still not be enough for these governments because it provides them with a great domestic political weapon to disguise their own government failures by encouraging anti-Japanese sentiment. The only way to combat these demagogues is by making it embarrassing for these nations to bring up more demands for apologies when it would reflect negatively on their own current human rights failures to do so. It would no doubt be a bold measure, but I see no other way of ending the comfort women issue.
[…] Comments Japan Lawmakers Take Out Full Page Ad on Comfort Women at ROK Drop on Congress backstabs US ally; Times lie trashes AbeThe Marmot’s Hole » Race and […]
GI, it was the Japanese government inflaming the issue with their taking out the paid ad (which tells anyone what their true stance on this is). And yet, who's your whipping boy for your holier then thou speech? South Korea again. I know I know, it was South Korea's fault for everything, while Japan is totally innocent.
As for your ridiculous suggestions for Japan on what they should do; don't make me laugh. We all know that's never going to happen in a million years because your suggestions are all predicated in the theory that Japan is not 'morally bankrupt' as you put it. Simply ludicrous. If Japan did what you suggested, then the Red Sea just parted in the middle.
[…] Japan Lawmakers Take Out Full Page Ad on Comfort Women at ROK Drop […]
Tom, put that "broad brush stroke" back in your pants. GI didn't say Japan was innocent of anything. You sound like your Korean. The ROK is at fault in the issue of sexual slavery today. Korea finds it easy to point to American faults, real and unreal. All the while shiping in Philippinas, takeing their passports away, and forcing them into selling themselves. I'm not even going to mention how they are housed like cattle.
As for "morally bankrupt", just go to any train stop in Seoul, my korean friend. Follow the red glow, but then you know that.
Japan telling anyone what their true stance is, Well, that is what everyone should do. I tend to like the truth. Maby Korea should try it. Rather than pointing their fingers at everyone, and crying like little girls about how they are victimized.
Suck your thum untill you can grow a pair.
No where in my posting did I blame Korea for the comfort women issue. My own personal opinion is that the comfort women were recruited by or forced into sexual slavery by Korean pimps with the Japanese Army forcibly recruiting in isolated cases. Overall Japan was the colonizer of Korea and is responsible for the Korean pimps that forced women into prostitution. The exact numbers are impossible to determine due to the amount of misinformation on each side but judging by the size of the Japanese Army it had to be in the tens of thousands.
The Japanese have payed hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation to Park Chung-hee which most was used to build the Korean economy and little was given to victims of the war. Sounds like if people want money they should look at the Korean government for it. In 1993 government statement of apology over the issue is still recognized by the current Japanese government.
With that said I do find South Korea to be in no position morally to condemn Japan for what happened 60 years ago when the Korean government does nothing to stop the trafficking and sexual slavery of Korean women today. I am more concerned about what is happening now which everyone is ignoring then what happened 60 years ago. It is just mind boggling how much time is spent on the comfort women issue while little attention is made to the modern day Korean comfort women of today.
One question, does the U.S. accept North Korean refugees? Say if I were one hiding out in China and made a dash into the U.S. embassy, will I be offered refugee status?
May I point out a pattern that has emerged involving Japanese apologies concerning war-time atrocities? (especially after the compensation during the Park era)
It seems that, almost at random, a Japanese official or officials would make a comment that would no doubt be inflammatory (glorifying the imperial past, historical revisionism, etc.), and Korean population responds with quite an emotional upheaval.
Several days/weeks later, the official officially apologizes for his/her comments. People soon forget about the issue.
And repeat.
It's not that the wordings and frequencies of the apologies are not sincere; it's the repetition that's causing so much problems.
The politicians in question that continue to try and minimize Japan's role in the comfort women issue are doing this for domestic political reasons. Much like in any Democracy you have many different opinions and the Japanese government can't silent them from speaking their mind like China can silence anyone they want by sending them to jail.
If the government withdraws its 1993 statement than there are some definite issues.
Jing,
Yes the US does accept NK refugees under the NK Human Rights Act and some have been accepted. However, ever since the six party talks have been going on and the nuclear agreement reached the US has not accepted NK defectors probably because they don't want to upset the North Koreans which I also strongly disagree with.
I can't read the ad published in the WP ("The Facts," ) the fonts are too small, is there a place where it's posted in a format that makes it possible to read the text? thanks
RD
p.s. I can't find on the WP site, rd
If it is for domestic political purpose, and that it is accepted as a democratic process, doesn't that become more problematic as it highlights the indifference, if not silent consent, of the public? In U.S., even a slightly derogatory comment towards African Americans are heavily punished by the public and media, stemming from its shameful years spent in conducting slavery. In Germany, one can kiss one's political life goodbye if he or she includes the words "Nazi" and "good" in one sentence. A starking difference, in my view.
At least, have I made a convincing argument that Koreans aren't being excessive in its demand for apology, considering the repeating infractions?
RD, you may find full size here.
You have to realize that the comfort women issue is not as big a deal in Japan as it is in Korea. It is the same thing with Dokdo. Go to Japan and ask someone about Dokdo and no one cares. It is the same thing with comfort women.
Those who have spent more time in Japan than I have may correct me if I'm wrong but the impression I have from traveling and talking to Japanese people is that World War II is now ancient history that Japan has paid compensation for and apologized for.
Something that irks Japanese is that people forget how many Japanese died during the war from fire bombings as well as two nuclear bombs. They feel they have paid their debt to the global society in both money and blood and that China and Korea only bring up these issues for domestic political purposes and nothing Japan does will matter because both these countries will keep this issue alive no matter what.
"You have to realize that the comfort women issue is not as big a deal in Japan as it is in Korea."
Of course it isn't. They don't have any comfort women who want justice.
"Those who have spent more time in Japan than I have may correct me if I’m wrong but the impression I have from traveling and talking to Japanese people is that World War II is now ancient history that Japan has paid compensation for and apologized for."
Of course, their mindeset is they did nothing wrong so what's to forget about?
"Something that irks Japanese is that people forget how many Japanese died during the war from fire bombings as well as two nuclear bombs."
Boo hoo. Who started the war? Who invaded other countries and colonized them? Am I supposed to be sorry for that?
"They feel they have paid their debt to the global society in both money and blood and that China and Korea only bring up these issues for domestic political purposes and nothing Japan does will matter because both these countries will keep this issue alive no matter what."
Talking about 'domestic political purposes' that you condemn Korea for. It seems to me this is what you said earlier about Japan:
"Much like in any Democracy you have many different opinions and the Japanese government can’t silent them from speaking their mind like China can silence anyone they want by sending them to jail."
So it's OK for Japan to use this as a domestic political purpose, but Korea does it (as you claim) and it's an whole 2/3 page writeup on your blog condemning Korea, for Japan taking out a paid ad to deny war crimes.
Tell me this GI, if "Japanese people think that World War II is now ancient history" and they accept the responsibilities and apologized as you claim, why do their politicians feel the need to kow tow to the demands of their domestic population and take out this ad? Aren't they just carrying out the wishes of their electorate? Exactly. You nailed it.
First of all Mr. Yu is bad blog manners to use sock puppets.
Now let me address the domestic political issue. First of all the politicians did not create or pay for the ad. The usual Japanese historical revisionists did. The handful of lawmakers that agreed with the ad come from minority political parties. Let me repeat minority. They are minority political parties because they are ultra-nationalists and the majority of Japanese think they are nuts. Like I said before if Prime Minister Abe retracts the Kono apology of 1993 and the Japanese ruling party begins buying ads then it is time to condemn Japan.
For example David Duke was a racist nut who held political office in the US and actually tried to run for president.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Duke
When Duke said things people ignored him because the vast majority of Americans knew he was an idiot but he had enough of a voting block in Louisiana where he was from to hold office. It is the same thing in Japan with the ultra-nationalists. Where they are from they have enough people who believe in their ideology to hold office but cannot hold enough seats in the Diet to actually do anything other than to be loudmouths and act stupid.
Now with Korea you have many of the nation's leading politicians including its president regularly demagogueing issues with Japan for political advantage, which I really wouldn't care as much about if it wasn't for the fact that tens of thousands of Korean women are sex slaves right now today in China and South Korea does nothing. Then there is the sexual trafficking going on right now inside of South Korea that is staggering:
http://www.lostnomad.org/2007/06/14/report-critic…
Then don't get me started on NK refugees or the fact that South Korea has abandoned thousands of South Korean POWs captured during the Korean War along with even abandoning hundreds of South Korean civilians kidnapped by North Korea from South Korea over the decades.
The list of things going on right now that the Korean government should be addressing is staggering yet so much effort is wasted on historical issues with the Japanese.
Dr. Yu I'm curious on what you think the Japanese should do. Do you want PM Abe to commit Seppuku on top of Seoul Tower? Do you want Japan to repay compensation after they already payed $800 million dollars to the South Korean government that chose not to give the money to the affected citizens?
"Then there is the sexual trafficking going on right now inside of South Korea that is staggering:"
That report was done by American government. What's laughable is that they threw the book on every country but conveniently left out the report on themselves. How hypocritical is that if I may ask when it's a fac that Americans make up the largest child sex tourists to South East Asia?
http://www.catwinternational.org/factbook/Southea…
"International investigators say foreign paedophiles are usually American or European. Of 160 foreign pedophiles arrested on child sex-abuse charges in Southeast Asia between 1992 and 1994, the largest portion — 25% — were American, 18% German, 14% Australian and 12% English."
So what are Americans doing about their problem, other then writing up reports on other countries other then themselves?
"Dr. Yu I’m curious on what you think the Japanese should do. Do you want PM Abe to commit Seppuku on top of Seoul Tower? Do you want Japan to repay compensation after they already payed $800 million dollars to the South Korean government that chose not to give the money to the affected citizens?"
I don't care if Abe commits seppuku or not. But I sure would like to know what he has done to mend the ties between the two countries, as you keep falsely spreading. But I do understand where you're coming from. You're using this issue to further your agenda.
GI compares Japanese war time comfort women system with Korea's prostitution problem. Of course the major difference is that direct involvement of Japanese government can't be compared. I don't think the Tojo's Japanese government ever tried to combat comfort women prostitution in the battle fronts, did they? Being directly responsible for prostitution as opposed to at least trying to reduce it.
From the world humantrafficking organization web site:
South Korean Government Efforts Against Prostitution
In recent years, the Government of the Republic of Korea has taken significant steps to address the problem, including through tightening of enforcement and an ambitious legislative campaign aimed at curbing trafficking and exploitation of women.[5] The government has shown a steady commitment to support victims, prosecute traffickers, and strengthen national laws. In 2004, the South Korean Government showed leadership by passing and implementing sweeping anti-trafficking and anti-prostitution laws, which provided stiff sanctions for trafficking and prostitution and established an infrastructure of social, legal, and medical support for victims. The government has also coordinated closely with United States Forces Korea (USFK) in developing and implementing policy that addresses the problem of sexual exploitation of women in the Republic of Korea in areas surrounding USFK bases.[6]
In 2004, the Korean military and the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) continued their cooperation with the USFK in identifying brothels suspected of exploiting trafficking victims and barring U.S. soldiers access to them. [7]
The 2004 Act on the Prevention of the Sex Trade and Protection of its Victims authorized the establishment of assistance facilities and counseling centers to help victims reintegrate into society. Over the past two years, the South Korean Government has established 38 shelters for Korean victims of trafficking and two shelters for foreign victims.[8]
For foreign trafficking victims, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) granted G-1 visas or suspensions of departure, which prevented victims from being deported from South Korea and encouraged them to cooperate with efforts to prosecute their traffickers. The government also took measures to protect trafficking victims who cooperated in prosecutions by prohibiting the disclosure of the victim’s identity and allowing a closed-door hearing.[9]
The KNPA has also launched a public awareness campaign, a victim support hotline, and a reward system for information leading to the arrest of traffickers. The Government has restricted issuance of certain types of entertainer visas. The Government and NGOs were actively involved in an education campaign to inform the public about new anti-prostitution and anti-trafficking laws.[10]
In November 2005, the Ministry of Justice initiated an international anti-trafficking working group to increase information sharing among affected countries. There was no credible evidence that officials were involved in trafficking.[11]
The government also provided significant funding for NGOs providing assistance to trafficking victims. In 2004, the Ministry of Gender Equality (MOGE) provided $4.67 million to these NGOs. The Government developed a network of shelters and programs to assist victims. As of August 2005, 449 Korean women were housed in 35 shelters and 9 foreign women were in 2 shelters. Victims were also eligible for medical, legal, vocational, and social support services. Many of these services were provided in conjunction with NGOs. Many of these services were provided in conjunction with NGOs.[12]
Nongovernmental & International Organizations’ Efforts
The Government and NGOs were actively involved in an education campaign to inform the public about new anti-prostitution and anti-trafficking laws. The Ministry of Justice in August 2005 introduced a program to educate male offenders about the anti-prostitution and anti-trafficking laws. As of October 2005, 902 men had participated.[13]
I apologize to Dr. Yu, it was in fact Tom that was using a sock puppet.
First of all you falsely accuse me of comparing sex trafficking in Korea today with comfort women of World War II. Nice straw man argument. You know this is the tactic people turn to when losing an argument. Let me entertain your argument for a little while.
Your stat is first of all 13-15 years old. Get something more up to date. Additionally the size of the US population often skews percentages. Look at your stat for example in three years they arrested 40 pedophiles in all of southeast Asia from America which has a population of 300 million. While from Australia they arrested 22 pedophiles and they have only a population of 20 million. That is nearly one pedophile for every million people in Australia arrested in all of Southeast Asia over a three year period while with the US it is one pedophile for every 7,500,000 citizens that was arrested in all of Southeast Asia over a three year period. Pretty weak stat on your part.
Also if the Korean government is doing so much about sex trafficking how come prostitution is still alive and well today just as much as it was just a few years ago? The only differences I see is that the glass houses have turned into "sports massages".
I point out sex trafficking in Korea as a problem worthy of more attention by the government than the expending so much energy over pointless squabbles over Dokdo or whatever the latest anti-Japanese issue of the day is. However as I have continuously pointed out over and over again which you over and over again fail to address is the lack of attention paid to Korean sex slaves in China right now. What is worse sexual slavery of Koreans right now or sexual slavery of Korean 60 years ago? When is the Korean government going to condemn China for Korean sex slaves in China right now? When is the Korean government going to work more actively to promote human rights for North Koreans in general? When is the Korean government going to get back their kidnapped citizens? When is the Korean government going to have their POWs returned? The list goes on and on of much more important issues that need to addressed.
You still haven't answered my question either about what you want Abe to do though you did say you wouldn't mind Seppuku on top of Seoul Tower. Notice the Chinese and Japanese relationship has improved much over the last few months and Abe didn't even have to commit seppuku. Why hasn't the Japanese-Korean relationship improved? Could it be because it is election year?
"I apologize to Dr. Yu, it was in fact Tom that was using a sock puppet."
Brilliant deductions Sherlock!
"First of all you falsely accuse me of comparing sex trafficking in Korea today with comfort women of World War II. Nice straw man argument. You know this is the tactic people turn to when losing an argument. Let me entertain your argument for a little while."
First of all, you were the one who brought up the issue of Korean prostitutes to this thread (which is totally a separate issue and a different breed of subjects).
"Your stat is first of all 13-15 years old. Get something more up to date."
Yes, it is old, but unless things have drastically changed over the years (which I very much doubt), you are no in position to condemn S.Korea for something that your country is very good at, just for the purpose of using that for your agenda.
"Also if the Korean government is doing so much about sex trafficking how come prostitution is still alive and well today just as much as it was just a few years ago? The only differences I see is that the glass houses have turned into “sports massagesâ€."
What I attempted to show you is to disprove your main point – that Korea should shut up about comfort women because it's doing the same thing as what the Japanese did in WWII. I attempted to show you that it's not the case Korean government is directly behind the recruiting and kidnapping of women for the purpose of sexual bondage – as it happened in Japan's systematic policy – as you deceitfully suggested in your post (now you're trying to back out of if).
"However as I have continuously pointed out over and over again which you over and over again fail to address is the lack of attention paid to Korean sex slaves in China right now. What is worse sexual slavery of Koreans right now or sexual slavery of Korean 60 years ago? "
You know, I have too often read this kind of tripe in expat blogs for too long. But I'm starting to get really sick of you Americans(and other Westerners) who have the luxury to sit back and become arm chair experts. But at the end of the day, most of the people who are in China right now who are helping (risking their lives) North Korean women are actually Koreans and Korean missionaries. You won't see no spoiled rotten preachy English teachers too busy whining about corn-in-the-pizza, willing to risk their life helping out a North Korean refugee woman which they supposedly care so much for.
"You still haven’t answered my question either about what you want Abe to do though you did say you wouldn’t mind Seppuku on top of Seoul Tower."
I think I've already answered you on this. I don't care rat's ass what he does. But I do take exception to what you're spreading, that it's somehow Korea's fault for Japan taking out paid ads to falsely spread misinformation that all of them were hookers who got paid more then Japanese generals. I don't give a rat's ass what the Japanese say because that's what I expect from them, but it's disturbing how you're spreading Japan's propaganda. It is really strange that you condemn Korea right after Japanese politicians gathered up to say "we didn't do anything wrong so why are you all accusing us of anything?".
Dear GI,
Thanks for acknowleging that I´m not "Tom". I had no intention to participate in the discussion here, but since your confusion with my name catched my attention I would like to say something.
Regarding the comfort women issue I think it is an unfair move from you comparing this issue with prostitution problem in korea.
Isn´t it obviouos that every contry in the world has the same problem? not just korea. If you want to condem korea for prostitution you should condem also your contry and the rest of the planet. You are comparing a specific issue with a generic problem.
But if you really want to stick on this subject, you should prove that you (USA) are above korea in this regard, proving that you (USA) has the necessary moral authority to point the finger to korea. You know, a criminal can not comdem an other criminal. Me, as a korean, would accept your critizism if you prove me that your country is free from this problem.
Also, if korea does not interfere in USA prostitution problem why should the USA do this with korea? We don´t tell you how you should deal with your drugs problems, with illegal immigration problems, with racism, and so on. Korea has it´s own priority and for us the problems with japan are a more urgent matter. If you don´t understand it, it is your problem, not our.
I think something that should be clear between koreans and americans is that one do not understand the other clearly, so instead of wasting time condemning each other, should try to make an effort to understand and respect the decision of the other.
Regarding the japanese responsability on the comfort women issue, let´s be frank, how do you expect korea to forget this issue and agree that the japanese are repented from the wrong doing if every time they keep provoking korea. As "Italian" said before, we are the victims and they are the vilans. It´s easy, it is convenient, it is necessary for them the forget the past, but for us, that´s a scar, a wound that we carry in our history. It´s something we face every time we talk with our parents. I remember that my grandmother talked better japanese than korean because she was forced to learn japanese language in the school. You know, among many attrocities japan tried to erradicate korean culture.
It´s like the 11/9 attack in USA history. Koreans will never feel it the same way like the americans do on this matter. You guys insult korea for despasing it but you do the same with the problems between korea and japan.
I have no intention to insult americans in Korea, but I think they should show more respect to korean problems even if it looks ridiculous in their point of view (haven´t you ever think that koreans and the rest of the world may think americans problems are ridiculous too?). Is not that korea is better than USA, is that this is what normal people would do when living in other country.
Please forgive me if my comment may sound offensive, but I´m trying hard to be objective.
GI, the advertisement is assented by 30 members of the Liberal Democratic Party (which I understand to be the largest party in Japan), so I'm not so sure if it is indeed just a minority party of ultracon nutjobs.
the guy shows you information pointing out korea is addressing the problem of sex trafficking and you turn around and ask why there's still a problem. that way you avoid the reality that your comments suggesting korea was 'doing nothing' are incorrect. btw, the us spends billions on the 'war against drugs' and yet, drugs are easy to get in this country.
'I believe that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should turn the tables on all the holier than thou demagogues criticizing Japan over the comfort women issue by apologizing for war time sexual slavery again, but this time in a large public speech to draw maximum media attention…'
are the women who testified before congress demogogues? as for an apology, japan can keep it. korea's aim here should be education about japanese wartime behavior. in this way, japan can feel the humilation it has never felt before. and let's be honest, the japanese should be ashamed of themselves for the horror they visited on korea and asia.
so, let them keep talking, korea don't need no mo' finger choppin' while the japanese are busy choppin' off their own heads. the ad is a tremendous service to the people of korea.
pawi
ps rokdrop, you know, a couple months ago, i came across a site that described the experiments the japanese conducted on living human beings. i was mortified. i still can't get it out of my head. i keep wondering what it would be like to have my arms taken off and then reattached on the opposite sides or having my esophogus attached to my large bowel. i can see why the japanese think of these things as 'old history'.
Tom: Here's the deal–nowhere is it reported that the "Japanese government" paid for the ad. 40-some Dietmembers, some journalists, and private citizens signed it. Likely it came from private funds.
Yet you draw mistaken conclusions from your basic error. I hope you don't expect anyone to take you seriously.
"But if you really want to stick on this subject, you should prove that you (USA) are above korea in this regard, proving that you (USA) has the necessary moral authority to point the finger to korea. You know, a criminal can not comdem an other criminal. Me, as a korean, would accept your critizism if you prove me that your country is free from this problem."
This sort of reasoning amongst netizens is very common. It is also fallacious. GI Korea is not the United States of America. He is a human being. Dr. Yu is not the Republic of Korea. He is also a human being. Whether or not a problem exists in the US does not deprive GI Korea of the right to speak out against that problem elsewhere as long as he does not deny the problem exists at home, too. Is it is true or isn't it? Is it relevant or isn't it? That is all that matters.
If I had a dime for every time I encountered the "you, too" counterargument on the net, I could retire.
[…] [GI Korea] Japan Lawmakers Take Out Full Page Ad on Comfort Women Published: Fri, 15 Jun 2007 01:31:33 +0000 This is definitely not going to help this issue go away: A group of Japanese lawmakers in a full-page ad in the Washington Post on Thursday denied the Japanese government and military had a hand in conscripting women from Asian countries as sex slaves for the Imperial Army during World War II. Titled “The Factsâ€, the […] Read More… […]
"Whether or not a problem exists in the US does not deprive GI Korea of the right to speak out against that problem elsewhere"
The whole inference of GI's post is that prostitution in Korea is widespread so they have no right to complain about Japanese politicians and reporters taking out a ridiculous ad in foreign paper, so shadup Korea, accept it, and take it in the ass, is the message. I suppose his post is somekind of a preemptive strike against what he expects as a irrational Korean reaction. But suppose what it would be like if a bunch of Korean politicans and media took out an ad in Washington Post, I wonder what would be the reaction here? I don't have to tell you what it would be like.
Tom, don't even have to think about it. America would ignore it. Most don't even know Americans are in Korea. "Where's Korea?"
Prostitution is wide spread in Korea, Tom. Go to any train stop in Seoul and look for the red glow. Go to Itaewon to see the ones that service the outsiders. Be careful Tom, some are the most beautiful guys you will ever find.
What about those Philippine imports, Tom?
Oh, and yes, in the states we have prostitution as well. Some places it is legal too!
At least we don't import them, take away their visa and force them to do it.
Talk about comfort women, Korea does it today.
As for taking it in the a-s, that last time that happened to Korea, America came to save her. Keep crying Tom. Don't stop.
You wouldn't have a country, if not for America. But keep crying about it. If you cry load enough, maby someone will get smart and pull US out. I can only hope.
"At least we don’t import them, take away their visa and force them to do it."
Pssst, Dan, United States is one of the biggest destination and transit for trafficking of women in the world. As for those Philipinos, a lot of them serve the US soldiers.
But then again, private voluntary prostitution is completely different from government making that as a national wide policy for its soldiers in the battlefields (as Japan did), and then blaming the victims.
"You wouldn’t have a country, if not for America. But keep crying about it. If you cry load enough, maby someone will get smart and pull US out. I can only hope."
You can only hope, because America will not pull out because America is not smart enough. Look at Iraq, they got in it stupidly, and are unable to pull out. So keep on whining, that'll do you a lot of good.
Americans should stop deviating from the point. There are no relation between comfort women issue and prostitution problem in korea today.
The comfort woman issue happen during the war, by the japanese government that used thoses poor women for their war activity. This issue is related to questions related to war crimes.
The prostitution problem in Korea is a social problem that menace every society in the world. If americans want to discuss this matter than we should discuss prostitution around the world. But honesty speacking, the USA is the world "champion" in term of prostitution problem since it has the world's biggest pornography market and are the major group of people in sexual tourism around the world.
You guys insist that korea has no moral authority to demand compensation from Japan, but you have even less authority to demend korea for whatever in this regard. I remember sometime I wondered the americans guys about the rape of native indian women in Alaska which is denounced by the international amnesty in their site. Well … nobody answered me.
Now, before we move forward here I kindly would like to ask the americans to explain me the rape case denounced by the International amnesty in order to make clear how "pure" and "innocent" the american society is. I think you may agree that someone can not accuse the other until he proves that he is better than the one he accuses.
Tom, we are in total agreement about at least one thing — America will not pull out of Korea, because America is not smart enough. As for the rest, you know I'm right.
As for whining, I do feel better when I corner some korean youth on the error of their ways. The best you could do is point out that some GI's use the third country girls that koreans import on entertainment visa. Take their passports away and force the girls to live like cattle and sell themselves.
Damn tom, your right. Koreans are better than americans when it comes to slavery.
Since you brought up Iraq Tom. Guess what, In ten years Iraq will be doing better than Korea in the export department with the US.
Korea didn't do anything untill the 1988 Olympics.
We pulled out of Vietnam, and they went nowhere for almost thirty years.
We should pull out of Korea Tom, but your right, America is not smart enough to see that Korea has nothing to offer America. Not even Friendship. Which would be Enough. Too bad something so simple is so difficult for Korea.
Where to start on this. Let me start here. First of all I said sex trafficking of prostitutes which is different from just straight prostitution. Just regular prostitution doesn't really bother me, but sex trafficking does like literally using barb wire to cage in female prostitutes so they can't escape which I have seen in Korea.
I highly recommend everyone read this Asia Times article if you think Korea doesn't have a sexual trafficking problem:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/FE26Dg03.html
Some how I doubt the 15 dead prostitutes in Kunsan who were killed by a fire due to be jailed in the brothel would agree with anyone who thinks Korea doesn't have a sexual trafficking problem.
Also Tom I already shot down your ancient stat but like I said before 40 people in three years were arrested in all of Southeast Asia from a nation of 300 million. Frankly I'm surprised it wasn't higher and is lower per capita than other countries you mentioned.
However in terms of Korean pedophiles you don't have to look any farther than the small island nation of Kiribati where Korean pedophiles have been flocking too and the Korean government has done little about:
http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/26/rok-sailors-linked-…
Also in schools this is coming all to common:
http://rokdrop.com/2007/06/06/middle-school-prost…
I can keep dropping links but I think I have made my point. Sex trafficking is a huge problem in Korea and denying it doesn't make it go away.
However, with all this said I have consistently stated that the enslavement of Korean women in China today along with promoting human rights for North Koreans in general should be of higher importance than trying to convince Abe to commit seppuku on top of Seoul Tower or the latest manufactured Dokdo crisis.
Dr Yu,
In regards to your question about eskimos in Alaska. Native Americans in general not just eskimos have their own reservations that are governed by their own laws within the reservations. The reservations that make money from casinos are quite wealthy however some of the reservations are so isolated that they cannot make money from casinos and remain very poor. Combine this with alcoholism and problems arise. Additionally the natives receive government subsidicies so they will always have food and shelter. However, alcoholism and crime on reservations is something that the tribes with these issues need to solve.
Also this is not a uniquely American problem. Canada has the same issues and in Australia they have an even worse issue with the aborigines. However, this all has nothing to do with sex trafficking.
Also Dr. Yu I am well aware of the signifigance of the Japanese occupation. My father in law is 74 years old and has told me plenty about it. My mother in law is 68 and she had little interaction with the Japanese because she lived way out in a rural area and attended a school that taught in Korean. Only the government funded schools taught in Japanese. Schools set up by local villagers could teach in Korean. However if you went to one of these schools you were greatly disadvantaged because to attend a university you had to attend a public schoool. To get in government job you had to speak Japanese.
My father in law on the other hand attended a Japanese school knows Japanese but refuses to speak it. He is bitter about the occupation but you know what he doesn't dwell on it either. The people who dwell on it now are mostly people who didn't even live through it like Tom.
My father in law also fought in the Korean War and is more bitter at the Chinese and North Koreans for dividing the country. The Japanese never divided the country and the Japanese did not kill no where near as many Koreans as both the Chinese and the North Koreans. The horrors of the Korean War resonate with both my in laws a whole lot more than the Japanese colonization. The Japanese during the colonization tried to break the spirit of Koreans to enslave them, this was doomed to failure because I have been around Koreans long enough to know you can't break their spirit. The North Korean communist and the Chinese tried to enslave all Koreans through open warfare that ended with disastorous consequences for the Korean people.
Let me state my positions clearly. I have consistently stated Abe should issue an apology for the comfort women issue at some large event, maybe at the UN but something widely public. I have also stated Japan should become a champion for North Korean human rights in a way to make amends for the past sins of the nation against the Korean people. Some how I don't find making demands for seppuku on top of Seoul Tower useful and such arguments only make Koreans look irrational. What I state is a rational way to address the issue.
Also if the Japanese government withdraws its 1993 apology and the Japanese government start buying adds like this one in the Washington Post than it time to start condeming them which I have stated repeadedly
Also I have consistently stated that the South Korean government should do more to promote the human rights of North Koreans and quit giving unconditional an unmonitored aid to the North Korean regime. When Korea reunites how do you think the citizens of that nation are going to react to the ROK government's legitimacy over them after they learn for how long the SK government had sold them out to Kim Jong-il for all these years to simply delay unification so SK citizens would not have to pay more in taxes to help their North Korean brothers and sisters? Look at East Germany and West Germany. They are still having issues integrating and if NK was to collapse tomorrow integrating the North Koreans into the ROK would be 10 times harder than what Germany had to do and the conditions in NK are only getting worse. How bad will it be in lets say 20 years from now when NK finally collapses. By SK putting off the inevitable is only ensuring they one day absorb an even more broken people if they even have the chance to absorb them before China does.
Maybe I was wrong, maybe the Korean spirit can be broken. It can only be broken by Koreans themselves which is happening right now in North Korea which Japan has absolutely nothing to do with. When I continue to follow the unfolding tragedy in North Korea how can I not feel cynical when I hear demands for Abe to apologize for the millionth time? If Kim Jong-il committed seppuku on top of Seoul Tower that would do the Korean people a whole lot more good than Abe doing it.
DAMN! GI!
You pulled out a double-barreled 12 guage, and let loose with both of them. I also learned some things. Well done! And from the Heart.
I knew unification will be difficult. You opened my eyes to just how badly it will be.
Wish I could help in some way. Na, the ROK has had too much help already. They don't seem to like help.
GI,
Regarding the native americans women rape, I think jurisdiction matter should not be a hindrance for legal and humanitarian protection. Come on !!! you are the richest country in the world and probably the best educated people in the world either, and you allow this think to happen within your boundary? Also if you read carefully you will notice that racism lead american authorities to ignore the abuses and refuse justice to these women. By acting this way you are also responsible for this crimes.
If you are really concerned about the sexual abuse of women around the world I sugest you to start it from your own country. Come on, make me proud of you, send a letter to Bush, make a rally in LA and Washing DC for the sake of these women. I believe this will be more effective that typing messages in the computer. After that let´s do the same in korea. You can count on me. I will be marching besides you.
Something you will never understand is that the comfort women issue is an emotional issue, so yes, I think abe comiting seppuku will do a lot for this problem. Please say to abe "go for it".
Lastly, something that happens most time in blogs on korea run by americans: You start the post with something related to korea and end up insulting korea in one or other way. I wonder if the opinions on these blogs are those of the majority of amricans in korea or of a minority group.
[…] JapanMarmot’s HoleROK dropsOccidentalismAnpontanScribblings of the MetropolitanObserving JapanTranspacifi RadioDebito blogTo […]
Dr. Yu, why do you believe the Japanese Prime minister committing seppuku will do lot for this problem? You approach emotional issues with outlandish solutions?
I agree with Sonagi – "Your country does it too" does not exempt Korea from criticism, from netizens or elsewhere. Although some Koreans are armed with this ready made argument. Prostition is as old as time itself, but the problem is unique and specific every culture.
I actually found this piece to be critical of Japan's distortion of history, and denying a role in the comfort women is one of them. But I could conceivably point out to Korea's (N and S alike) own issues with prostuition, to gain a certain perspective. The Chinese and Koreans foam at the mouth at Kozuimi atteninding memorial enshrined with with war criminal and yet….. China isn't especially remorseful for their own imperial crimes crushing pro dem movements.
Surabol,
I think it is hipocracy americans insulting korea for problems that they also have. What makes it worse is that they like to metion it only to insult korea and underestimate the guilt of japanese government.
The comfort women issue is a war crime issue while the prostitution of today is a social problem that happens everywhere. I don´t see americans fighting prostitution in their country but like to mention it everytime they want to criticize korea or other country. They have to credibility in this matter. Show to koreans that their concer is genuine not political.
And for Abe commiting seppuku, believe me it will do a lot for this problem, especially for koreans. Just remember that japan has been invading korea for centuries and probably you will understand why it has become an emotional issue.
I assume you are a japanese because of you ID, so probably you will think koreans are exagerating, but just remeber that we are the victims not you. It did not hurt you.
[…] played politics with a key US ally. Back in June the US Congress passed a non-binding resolution condemning Japan for World War II sexual slavery that caused a huge up roar in Japan. I find it amazing that with […]
[…] English language comments about apologies and the legacy of Japanese imperialism from the blogs ROK Drop, Observing Japan, and […]