Memory and Reconciliation in the Asia-Pacific

记忆 ⚆ 和解 ⚆ 아태

  • About Us
    • Purpose and Mission
    • Faculty and Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Issues
    • Allied POWs
    • Bombing of Civilians
    • Comfort Women
      • Korea
      • China
      • Japan
      • Other Asian Nations
      • Netherlands
      • United States
      • International Organizations
    • Forced Labor
      • Forced Labor Cases Filed in Japan
    • Museums and Memorials
    • Textbook Controversy
    • Disputed Territories
    • Historical Dialogue
      • Historians and Reconciliation
  • Documents & Resources
    • International Treaties and Conventions
    • Legislative Proceedings
    • Judicial Proceedings
    • Public Opinion Polls
    • Official Statements
      • Bilateral Statements and Communiques
      • People’s Republic of China
      • Japan
      • Republic of Korea
    • Organizations
      • NGOs/INGOs
      • Government Programs
      • Archives and Libraries
  • News & Opinions
  • Scholarship & Research
    • Research Centers
    • Bibliography
    • Faculty Publications
  • Events & Projects
    • 70th Anniversary of End of WWII

South Korea

Home News & Opinions Asia-Pacific South Korea

Decreasing Number of Alive Comfort Women Victims

  • July 19, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

With the age of the Comfort Women victims reaching the 90s, many died and only a few Chinese and South Korean victims are left. These victims criticize stalled reparations from Japan and say that apologies must go beyond silence money…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

2024 Recap 5: South Korea Martial Law Declaration

  • July 17, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

With martial law declaration, Japanese officials are reconsidering diplomatic plans with South Korea. It suspended diplomatic engagements with uncertainty rose even in broader U.S.-Japan-South Korea security partnership as the opposition is trying for an impeachment. The Asahi Shimbum Article: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15537648…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

2024 Recap 4: Nihon Hidankyo Winning Noble Peace Prize

  • July 17, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

Japan’s Atomic bomb survivors were awarded the 2024 Noble Peace Price for their long fight to abolish nuclear weapons. Although many victims celebrated the event, Korean victims had mixed emotional response as they are marginalized within the Japanese-led organization. Kyodo…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

2024 Recap 2: Sado Mine UNESCO World Heritage Bid

  • July 17, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

Japan posted Sado Mine for UNESCO World Heritage without clearly apologizing or labeling Koreans as “forced laborers”. This action caused rising diplomatic tensions with South Korea on historical reconciliation with South Korea boycotting Japan’s first memorial event for victims. Yonhap…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

2024 Recap 1: Gunma Prefecture Korean Victim Memorial Destruction

  • July 17, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

Japan’s Gunma Prefecture has removed Korean forced labor memorial due to criticism over alleged political use. People argue that this decision can set a dangerous precedent for erasing painful historical truth and being a signal as a retreat from reconciliation…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

2023 Recap 4: S. Korea Supreme Court Case on Forced Labor

  • July 16, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

South Korea’s Supreme Court ordered Japanese corporation to directly compensate Korean forced labor victims, while Japan formally protested. President Yoon stated it will use domestic third-party funds to facilitate reparation as a part of restoring relations with Japan. Hankyoreh Article:…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

2023 Recap 3: Removal of Historical Issue in History Textbook

  • July 16, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

New school textbook in Japan have replaced terms like “forcibly mobilized” with “participated” and reaffirmed Japanese sovereignty over Dokdo. This changes symbolize right wing political pressure, which downplayed Japanese military’s role in mass suicides and comfort women that betrayed South…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

2023 Recap 2: Camp David U.S.-Japan-S. Korea Trilateral Summit

  • July 16, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

U.S., Japan, and South Korea had a trilateral summit meeting in Camp David on August 18th, 2023. The meeting was primarily aimed to enhance trilateral military, economic, and regional coordination between three countries to reshape Northeast Asian security cooperation with…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

2023 Recap 1: Yoon-Kishida Summit Meeting

  • July 16, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

South Korea and Japan restored diplomatic channels between both countries’ leaders since its closure 12 years ago. While the meeting bolstered stronger cooperation, historical issues like comfort women or militaristic issues like 2018 radar lock-on incident still hinder further ties.…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

September 6—South Korean Foreign Minister Meets Forced Labor Victims

  • September 6, 2022
  • Asia-Pacific

The Mainichi: S. Korea foreign minister meets Japan wartime labor plaintiffs The Korea Herald: Foreign Minister to meet with victims of Japan’s forced labor The Korea Times: Foreign minister vows diplomatic solution to forced labor dispute with Japan

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

September 3rd—Some perspectives on South Korean President Yoon’s Speech Conducted on August 15th

  • September 3, 2022
  • Asia-Pacific

The Asahi Shimbun: Yoon restates his will to mend ties with Japan on Liberation Day Nikkei Asia: South Korea’s Yoon vows to ‘swiftly’ improve Japan ties The Korea Herald: Yoon says dialogue with NK needed, but should not be political…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Feb. 28, 2022— Some articles on how the leading candidates of the Korean presidential election aim to steer Japan-Korea relations

  • February 28, 2022
  • Asia-Pacific

Kyodo News: South Korea ruling party presidential candidate ready for talks with Japan The Korea Herald: [Election 2022] How do Lee and Yoon view Japan?

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Jan. 15, 2022 — Some perspectives on the 2022 South Korean presidential election

  • January 15, 2022
  • Asia-Pacific

Al Jazeera: S Korea presidential poll: Choosing the lesser of two evils (Opinion Piece) Nikkei Asia: South Korean presidential campaign mired in mudslinging The Korea Times: More Korean voters balk at choosing presidential candidates The Korea Herald: [Kim Seong-kon] 10…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Jan. 11, 2022 — Japan’s possible selection of Sado Mine as a candidate UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • January 11, 2022
  • Asia-Pacific

The Asahi Shimbun: Seoul blasts bid for Sado gold mine to go on heritage list The Japan News (By the Yomiuri Shimbun): Controversial Sado mine proposed for UNESCO nod The Korea Times: Brazen-faced move (Opinion Piece) Korea JoongAng Daily: Another…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Apr. 16, 2021 — Various Pieces on History, Media, and Culture

  • April 16, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

The Mainichi: Editorial: Hit Japanese drama ‘Oshin’ screenwriter Hashida’s work showed true human nature Asahi Shimbun: Mishima’s long-lost short novel headed for print after 72 years Chosun Ilbo: Korea Foundation Sponsors N.Korean Propaganda Art Show The Mainichi: Okinawa’s Himeyuri Peace…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

March 2021 Popular Culture Update

  • April 1, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

With Blackpink’s ‘protest trucks,’ have K-pop fans gone too far? (SCMP) New Live-Action Film Based on Stan Lee Story Inspired by China’s Monkey King Ignited Discussion in China (Global Times) Hollywood aims to win hearts of Chinese moviegoers by introducing…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

March 2021 Wartime Issues Update

  • April 1, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

17 Japanese firms face South Korean wartime damages suit (Asahi Shimbun) ‘Girl of Peace statue’ to remain intact in central in Berlin (Dong-A Ilbo) Japanese Academia and Civic Groups Issue Statement Criticizing Ramseyer’s Paper (Dong-A Ilbo) 19-Year-Old Detained for Posting…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Mar. 30, 2021 — Last Korean war criminal to serve in Japan’s World War II army dies, without securing apology or compensation from Tokyo (SCMP)

  • March 30, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

The last Korean to be convicted of war crimes after serving in the Japanese military during World War II has died without receiving the apology and compensation he insisted Tokyo owed him for his suffering. Lee Hak-rae, 96, died on Sunday.  

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Mar. 1, 2021 — South Korea’s Moon Gives Speech, Reactions

  • March 2, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

South Korea’s Moon Calls for Japan Talks, Separation of Historical Disputes from Future Ties (SCMP) Japanese Media: Moon’s Speech Lacks concrete Proposals for Bilateral Cooperation (Dong-A Ilbo) EDITORIAL: Decisive action needed to resolve Tokyo-Seoul history dispute (Asahi Shimbun) Moon: South…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Mar. 1, 2021 — Updates on Comfort Women, Forced Labor Issues (Various)

  • March 1, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

Forced Labor: The Japan Times: South Korean leader says Seoul ‘always ready to sit down’ with Tokyo Dong-A Ilbo: “Japanese media: Moon’s speech lacks concrete proposals for bilateral cooperation” Asahi Shimbun: “Moon: South Korea, Japan must look to future to…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Feb. 28, 2021 — South Korean cultural ‘correction team’ triggers controversy among Chinese netizens (The Global Times)

  • February 28, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

“A South Korean cultural “correction team” that works to promote accurate knowledge about the East Asian country has become another focus of discussion on Chinese social media amid the raging cultural feuds between the two neighboring countries. Chinese netizens questioned…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Feb. 26, 2021 — A Korean Poet Is the Latest Example of China’s ‘Cultural Imperialism’ (The Diplomat)

  • February 26, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

Baidu, the largest internet portal in China, recently caused controversy among the South Korean public for introducing Yun Dong-ju, a Korean poet and independence activist during the Japanese colonial era, as “Chinese.”

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Feb. 19, 2021 — New Survey Highlights Falling Japan-Korean Opinions (Nippon)

  • February 19, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

“A record 40.4 pct of Japanese do not believe that their country’s relationship with South Korea is important, apparently reflecting bilateral conflicts over history issues, a Cabinet Office survey showed Friday.”

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It

Feb. 5, 2021 — Korean White Paper Highlights Cool Relations With Japan (Various)

  • February 5, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

Chosun Ilbo: Korea Labels Japan ‘Neighbor’ Not ‘Partner’ Global Times: South Korea’s defense white paper strikes a pragmatic tone South China Morning Post: South Korea affirms cool Japan relations, warm China ties in defence white paper Korean Herald: Seoul says…

Continue Reading→
  • Tweet
  • Like
  • Plus one
  • Pin It
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Recent Posts
  • U.S. Department of Defense Censoring World War 2 Pictures
  • Commemorating Battle of Manila, One of the Bloodiest Battles in World War 2
  • Efforts to Continue Search for Battle of Okinawa Remains
  • Ongoing World War II History Dispute between China and Taiwan
  • Internment Camp Survivors’ Experiences and Its Connection to Immigration Issues
News Topics
  • Asia-Pacific (319)
  • Australia (4)
  • Canada (1)
  • China (102)
  • Europe (27)
  • Germany (12)
  • Japan (247)
  • Memorials & Exhibitions (18)
  • News & Opinions (321)
  • North America (66)
  • North Korea (8)
  • Official Statements (15)
  • Okinawa (3)
  • Public Polls & Surveys (12)
  • Russia (14)
  • Scholarly Works (8)
  • South Korea (112)
  • Southeast Asia (12)
  • Taiwan (12)
  • Uncategorized (1)
  • United States (65)