More S Koreans rate Japan as 'most-disliked country:' poll

Tuesday 23rd September, 04:39 AM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

Latest 15 of 50 Total Comments Show All

FrEcKlEfAcE at 10:20 PM JST - 24th September

You would have to be arrogant, ignorant or just not really care, to not understand why Japan rates as 'most-disliked country' if viewed from a Korean perspective. Just my view.
MASSWIPE at 11:29 PM JST - 24th September

Boy, this is a predictable thread, with the nigelboy/seiharinokaze/OssanULTRA crowd coming out and marching in unthinking lock-step (like brainwashed Japan-hating Koreans, oddly enough), extolling the "virtues" of Japanese colonization of Korea and declaring that most Japanese really, truly do not care what Koreans think about them.

Why do you repeatedly emphasize this 2nd point? Why is it so important for you to let the world know that Japanese really don't care what Koreans think of them? Maybe the Japanese don't care what Koreans think of them, but you clearly care what Koreans think of the Japanese. Otherwise you wouldn't spend so much of your waking time posting comments here about it, right? So tell us, why do you care so much about the fact that large numbers of Koreans dislike Japan?
ai_sumo at 11:58 PM JST - 24th September

how about other asians(Chinese,Thai,Philipinos etc) and westerners...do they really LOOOVEEE japan?
OssanULTRA at 11:58 PM JST - 24th September

Masswipe

If you think that my writing "I am merely pointing out that Koreans both suffered and gained under Japanese colonization" is extolling the virtues of the Japanese colonization I honestly have to question your degree of comprehension.

I'm usually forced to comment on the fact that most Japanese, and most people on this planet for that matter don't give a rodent's hindquarters about what Koreans think because invariably someone will make a statement sugesting that the whole world not only cares deeply about what Korea thinks but that they completely side with Korea's views, which obviously simply isn't true.
usaexpat at 12:19 AM JST - 25th September

Arguing the finer points of colonization is irrelavent, the truth lies somewhere in the middle of Korean and Japanese takes on history. Though Ossan is completely right on this point Korea was not invaded it was sold out to Japan by one of their own. I don't care what this sample of Koreans think. These 1200 people are of the type that see brother Kim as better than Japan. I re-state that if the US takes the prize with 18% favorable rating these people don't like anyone.
OssanULTRA at 01:43 AM JST - 25th September

how about other asians(Chinese,Thai,Philipinos etc) and westerners...do >they really LOOOVEEE japan?

That's a good question. Someone should ask them. "The greatest part of the foreigners living in Japan come from Asia (74%), with Korea (32%), China (24%) and the Philippines (10%) leading. Whereas the Korean population has been steadily decreasing over the past 15 years, the number of Chinese residents has tripled over the same period. In fact, there are now 10 times more Chinese and almost 40 times more Filipinos than in 1980. The Koreans are more numerous in Osaka and Kobe, while the highest number of Chinese and Filipinos reside in the Greater Tokyo." http://www.jref.com/society/foreignersinjapan.shtml (Really cool pie chart graph here)
CavemanLawyer at 09:04 AM JST - 25th September

Never mind that the current generation have absolutely nothing to do with what their ancestors did, nor have any moral responsibility or accountability to acknowledge it, anymore than the citizens of any other country.

I have a big problem with the bolded part. Like father like son they say. If the current generation is ignorant of and ignores the past of their country, then are very likely to repeat its mistakes. Just look at the new PM. He looks back on Japanese Imperialism and sees only good things that were done.

Sweeping the past under the rug would be fine and dandy if it were not for people repeating it over and over.

Not saying the current gen needs to apologize or even be apologetic, but their ignorance of the shameful history of their country is a slap in the face.

--Cirroc
nigelboy at 09:32 AM JST - 25th September

Modern rich south korea is where it is today because massive import of technology, stealing of technology (I'm not blaming them), and illegal copying of just about anything you could think of, except kimchi. But they worked really hard at that, I have to give them that. But they should also learn their history and stop whining.

To be precise, it was the economic impact during Korea's participation in the invasion of Vietnam along with the $800 million economic aid from Japan that made Korea what it is today. They'll leave that latter part out from their history books and call it the "Miracle on the Han River".
Triring at 01:34 PM JST - 25th September

These 1200 people are of the type that see brother Kim as better than Japan. I re-state that if the US takes the prize with 18% favorable rating these people don't like anyone.

Although I do not know how the samples were picked, statistically speaking in SK I believe 1,200 samples are enough to conform a nation opinion. So you can say that 57% of the SK population has anti-Japanese sentiment.
presto345 at 03:36 PM JST - 25th September

Although I do not know how the samples were picked

Here lies the problem

statistically speaking in SK I believe 1,200 samples are enough to conform a nation opinion.

BS
Kameleon at 03:47 PM JST - 25th September

So if it were 1,199 people, would Japan be a good country?!

What an arbitrary number of fickleness.
USARonin at 03:51 PM JST - 25th September

I thought America would've done better than 18% considerin' half of the South Korean population has relocated to the States in the last twenty-five years anyway.

Smart move if North Korea ever jumps.

USAR
vg866 at 03:37 PM JST - 26th September

nigelboy

"""It appears this is a new phenemena "imagined/made up" among the kyopos and Koreans. Yes. The root of Korean inferiority complex."""

What inferiority complex? The one that you seem to exhibit? Oh thats funny. I could have sworn those facts came from foreign professors of non asian descent, historical records, documents and memoirs by foreigners who lived in Korea during the time. It appears to me that you lack the ability to make coherent and thoughtful arguments. Instead you resort to ad hominem by labeling any opinon no matter how factful as "imagined by kyopos". Sorry but the only thing imagined is japans twisted view of history. Particularly your view which you also seem to share with those black van driving outcasts. You have to ask yourself this. Why is it that the rest of the world always sides with Korea in these arguments? Is the world doing something wrong or is everyone else "wrong"?

Its not a case of Korean inferiority complex. More like a case of Japan having an inferiority complex over its shameful and disgraceful past which it does not want to acknowledge or let anyone know about. How proud you must be of your countries horrible deeds and the ultimate retribution your country recieved. That is the epitome of inferiority complex. And people like you and Ossan seem to prefer to accuse entire nations of having an inferiority complex simply because they do not want positive relations with a thoughtless, remorseless, arrogant country with a shameful past it does not want to admit. Modern territorial disputes, textbooks and warshrine visits doesnt help foster relations either.

How hypocritical you must feel when you bash North Koreans over the kidnappings of a mere 13 Japanese citizens. By your logic the Japanese have a huge inferiority complex over the North Koreans due to their constant whining over the abductions. Isnt it funny how easily your logic is quashed and turned against you?

Ossan

Annexation and Invasion are mere dictionary terms that cannot describe true history. Korea was invaded, go read about the Donghak rebeillion, forced unfair treaties and the fact that the Japanese army entered Korea without permission and refused to leave. Also look at Queen Min's assassination and the blatant force they used on Korea. It was an invasion in all but name.

You have yet to explain why Korea has an inferiority complex. Where did you exact this conclusion from? Is that your retort to South Koreas negative opinion on Japan? Nevermind the historical atrocities and wrongs committed by the Japanese. Nevermind the constant territorial disputes, denials and provocations by the Japanese. According to you, its all Koreas fault. Which makes no sense whatsover. On the same token, Japan is whining about the North Korea abductions because they have an inferiority complex. Funny how your logic and Nigels logic is so easily used against you guys.

Its not an inferiority complex buddy. You made that up because you have nothing better to say about Japans past. You have no legitimate excuse to counter Koreas legitimate distrust over historical and current wrongs. Its just another case of ad-hominem by a person who has no inteligent arguments to make. And you bring up the fact that Koreans were subjugated by the Mongols. Which pretty much shoots your own argument in the foot. Just earlier you stated that Korea and Japan were somehow even because of the Mongol invasion. Yet Koreans did not organized said invasion or actually did much. On the contrary, Korea was the sole reason why Japan survived the invasion. Mongol ships fell apart at sea due to faulty components and deliberate sabotage by Korean shipbuilders and soldiers. Its not a Korean centric view. Go google "Mongol invasions sabotage" on any search engine. While youre at it. Go google queen mins reforms. Koreans sabotaging Mongol ships is a fact that is supported by western scholars the world around. In fact, it is also widely supported by historians and archaeologist in Japan. Wreckage discovered also support faulty parts that were meant to break a part at sea.

No matter how many times you try to deny it, youre basically defending Japans annexation of Korea. You can deny it all you want, but its as clear as day. If you wern't defending them, then we wouldnt even be arguing in the first place. Your claim that Japanese annexation was partially good is absurd. Koreans never asked for Japanese modernization(aka slave labor). Furthermore why was Japan needed? Korea could have simply modernized with guidance by Europe and America. A direct source for modern technology and ideas. Rather than having to endure brutal opression and slavery while indirectly modernizing(for Japanese benefits only).

"""Not at all. Koreans were given Japanese citizenship and taight to worship the Emperor of Japam."""

Let me guess, were those Koreans the ones who did not good to school and instead were sent directly to the mines?

"""That's brainwashing. And the brainwashing today's Koreans get with their ultra nationaliosm and denial of their role in WWII is on a par with that."""

No Einstein. Theres little to no brainwashing in Korea. You assume that its brainwashing only because it goes against Japanese right wing nationalism which is notorious for denying Japans shameful past. If Koreans are "brainwashed" then would you mind telling me what they are brainwashed in? Koreans dont deny that some Koreans worked in the Japanese army. In fact its publicized, and they are derided as traitors. They have a word for them in Korean: Chinilpa.

"""Hyundai couldn't have built cars without Mitsubishi Motors help. They couldn'ty hve built ships without Kawasaki Heavby Industries. Would Samsung be where it is today in TVs without Sony?"""

And Japan couldnt have built any of those without the west and America. Your point? If Koreans were allowed to modernize by themselves directly through the west, there would be no need for the Japanese. Which pretty much shoots your argument to the ground.

And about Wa and the Yayoi. Japan prior to Korean immigration was nothing more than a backward isolated island full of hunter gatherer tribes. It was "Korea" who brought modernization to Japan. From rice farming, irrigation to chinese characters and metal work. The Jomon period lasted for thousands of years. And ended within under a century with the explosive rise of the Yayoi who replaced the Jomon. That modernization and technological leap did not happen so suddenly without help. It did not sponatenously erupt. More precisely a wave of Yayoi immigrants from the mainland came and with the aid of technology replaced the Jomon.
Molenir at 12:49 PM JST - 28th September

Blah, blah, blah...

Koreas great, Japan sucks. Thats all you had to say. Really. I got your message.
vg866 at 05:30 PM JST - 16th October

So typical. Hey if you cant refute it, its automatically anti Japanese. What a joke.