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Despite the historical enmity, it seems that the public viewpoint towards Japan is shifting in SK though: > Political elites here are usually careful not to an
by jhj 5y ago
Despite the historical enmity, it seems that the public viewpoint towards Japan is shifting in SK though:
> Political elites here are usually careful not to antagonize China, the country’s largest trading partner. But Mr. Yoon’s blunt rhetoric reflected a new phenomenon: a growing antipathy toward Beijing among South Koreans, particularly young voters whom conservative politicians are eager to win over.
> Anti-Chinese sentiment has grown so much this year that China has replaced Japan — the former colonial ruler — as the country regarded most unfavorably in South Korea, according to a joint survey by the polling company Hankook Research and the Korean newsmagazine SisaIN. In the same survey, South Koreans said they favored the United States over China six to one.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/20/world/asia/korea-china-election-young-voters.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/20/world/asia/korea-china-el...
- nemo44x 5y agoYou have to figure as the generations that were most affected by Japanese rule have died and are dying off, the new people see it as a historical thing that isn’t relevant. Look at Europe for example - people hit over their ancestors grievances. The world turns and life goes on. People just want prosperity.
- CameronNemo 5y agoOn the other hand, the scars of imperialism can be long lasting. One need only look at the legacy of the Holocaust (admittedly extreme example), or the colonization of north america. Time can help the SK-Japanese relationship, but healing does not come easily or freely. Especially when Japan still hesitates to apologize for its past atrocities inflicted against Korea or other former colonies.