Interesting subject,,
Growing up as a Korean-American from a very traditional korean family.. I've gained some perspective on how the generation of koreans that lived during the Japanese Occupation feel about Japan. My fathers side of the family, once rich landowneres were reduced to simple farmers with a fraction of the land they once owned.. Whereas my mother's family, my Grandfather was sent to Japan to go to school. So he grew up speaking fluent Japanese, loving the food, culture, and traditions. So it's kind odd seeing this mixed contrast.. While my dads mother shows an intense dislike and blatant racism for the Japanese, my moms father talks about retiring in Japan.. And as such my mom shows minimal dislike of the Japanese, but my dad stressed the barbaric things they did to korea, as well as China when I was growing up.
I have to admitt Korean people are very very proud, and don't easily forgive. However I agree that what the Japanese did during that time was horrendous, and I'm not pleased that the majority of their citizens are not aware of the atrocities they commited against other Asian countries.. But I can't hate them for being ignorant of the fact. Ethnicity wasn't the factor that contributed to those tragedies. When you think about it, people are born with evil. It may be kind of morbid, but it's true. Every race, every person has the ability to do horrible things, and I can't point fingers at people when I know I'm probably capable of it myself. I'd rather applaud the will I have that overcomes corruption, and thank myself for having two perspectives, as it broadens my own.
I have to admitt Korean people are very very proud, and don't easily forgive. However I agree that what the Japanese did during that time was horrendous, and I'm not pleased that the majority of their citizens are not aware of the atrocities they commited against other Asian countries.. But I can't hate them for being ignorant of the fact. Ethnicity wasn't the factor that contributed to those tragedies. When you think about it, people are born with evil. It may be kind of morbid, but it's true. Every race, every person has the ability to do horrible things, and I can't point fingers at people when I know I'm probably capable of it myself. I'd rather applaud the will I have that overcomes corruption, and thank myself for having two perspectives, as it broadens my own.