abuses in Korea in the early 20th century. A recent BBC poll found that a majority of

South Koreans hold negative views of the Japanese. So why does South Korea hate Japan?

Well, beginning in the late 19th century, Japan established dominance over Korea, and

from 1910 to 1945, it was annexed as a Japanese colony. Japan’s military leadership was

harsh, but it did help modernize Korea.

However, after the war, Japan surrendered control of Korea to the Soviet Union and United

States, who split the country in two. This would later be known as time of great confusion

and turmoil in Korea, culminating in the devastating Korean War. Japan had previously occupied

most high-level military positions before 1945, so there were few Korean leaders that

held enough power to unite the whole country again amid the political chaos. Although Japan

has made apologies to Korea for their colonial rule, many Koreans still feel the apologies

lack sincerity.

One of the worst effects of Japan’s influence was the mandatory establishment of brothels

in Korea and other neighboring countries like China during World War 2. “comfort women,"

as the sex slaves were called, were often kidnapped and forced to work. After the war

was over and the brothels were disbanded, tens of thousands of surviving women, who

had dealt with STDs and traumatic injuries, were not acknowledged by Japanese leaders

until the 1990s. Additionally, some Japanese textbooks have allegedly ignored and whitewashed

this part of history, sparking anger among South Koreans. Weekly rallies calling for

Japan’s further acknowledgement of these tragedies have occurred outside Japan’s

embassy in South Korea since 1992.

Further territorial disputes have added to the discord. A string of islands, valued for

their fishing reserves and natural gas resources, have been claimed by both countries. Even

the name of the “Sea of Japan” between them, is a source of debate. South Koreans

prefer the less possessive term the “East Sea." These issues have contributed to diminished

trade relations and diplomatic deadlock.

The heart of many of their disputes is based on Japan always coming out ahead, partially

based on their subjugation of Korea. Although South Korea has proven itself to be one of

the most prosperous and promising asian economies, the lasting effects of war and Japanese imperialism

have kept them one step behind their neighbor.

In the long run however, despite old, unhealed wounds, the two nations have been allies in

the face of other hostile nations, like Russia and North Korea. South Korea and Japan’s

proximity to one another has encouraged an overlapping popular culture, and complementary

economies. Although the two countries have dealt with more than a century of strife,

they are still massively reliant on each other.

South Korea’s not the only country that hates Japan. China’s also got an ongoing

grudge, and with good reason. Find out about that in this video. Thanks for watching us

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