Researching the history of the Land of the Rising Sun, one learns about the invasions that Japan made to other countries. In addition, one also learns about the invasions that the Japanese themselves suffered throughout history.
For 1500 years, the relations between Korea and Japan were marked by trade. At the same time, they were characterized by wars and political conflicts between the two nations. Conflicts that still interfere in the relationship today.
In recent decades, controversies over historical facts have bittered relations between South Korea and Japan.
Disputes over the veracity of historical facts have strengthened the nationalist movements of each country, encouraging the commercial and political distancing of the respective nations.
Both countries have tried to reach a political armistice, unfortunately, without success.
Currently, 94% of Koreans believe that the Japanese “do not feel remorse for the crimes of the past.”
63% of Japanese believe that Korea’s demands for recognition and forgiveness for past acts are “incomprehensible.”
Japan’s Invasions of Korea (and vice versa)
During the Kamakura period, the Japanese suffered invasions from the Mongol Empire, along with the Goryeo Kingdom (Korea).
However, the Mongols and Koreans failed in their offensives against the archipelago, resulting in Japan’s victory.
During the 16th century, during the Muromachi period, samurai and pirates attacked ships off the coasts of China and Korea.
In 1592 and 1598, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified the nation, ordered the daimyos to conquer China through Korea. Meanwhile, King Seonjo warned China about the invasion.
Subsequently, Japan completed the occupation of the Korean peninsula in three months.
The Chinese attempts to reclaim the peninsula from the Japanese failed, and Korea lost the land battles. However, the Korean Kingdom managed to turn the tide by winning all the naval battles, resulting in the decisive defeat of the Japanese fleets.
With the war stalled between the Chinese army and the Japanese army and the death of Toyotomi, the Council of Five Elders ordered the withdrawal of Japanese troops, resulting in Korea’s victory.
Occupation of Korea
Between 1910 and 1945, Japan occupied Korea and established a government to administer it as if it were part of Japan.
However, with the occupation, the industrialization of the peninsula accelerated, at the cost of negative changes to Korean culture.
Testimonies from Koreans reported the brutalities committed by the Japanese during this time, ranging from looting and forced labor to rapes and executions.
If you haven’t read about the Unit 731, Koreans were also victims of experiments conducted by the Japanese along with Chinese and other prisoners of war during the occupation.
After the withdrawal of Japanese troops in 1945, the peninsula ended up being contested by the Soviets and the Americans.
In 1948, this gave rise to the two Koreas. However, the two countries are still at war as no peace treaty has ever been signed.
Political Conflicts and Controversies
Since then, South Korea has refused to establish any diplomatic relations with Japan, and it was only resolved in a Basic Relations Treaty in 1965.
The only possible progress in the relationship was in 2015, when both addressed the issue of the atrocities committed by the Japanese. This resulted in a public apology from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Do Japanese and Koreans hate each other?
In South Korea, 77% of South Koreans view the Japanese negatively, and 22% had a positive opinion of Japan. Only 1% remained neutral.
In Japan, 37% of Japanese view South Koreans negatively, with only 13% viewing them positively. The rest remained neutral.
There have been attempts by Japan to improve the political situations between the two nations. However, the results have been minimal and have not had much effect.
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