‘Japan should admit sexual enslavement of Korean women’

Kevin N. Cawley

The aftermath of Japanese colonization (1910-1945) still reverberates in Korean society and this painful part of Korea’s modern history is a frequent source of friction in Seoul-Tokyo ties.

Kevin N. Cawley, director of the Irish Institute of Korean Studies at University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland, said in a recent email interview with The Korea Times that a breakthrough can be achieved only via Tokyo’s sincere acknowledgement of its past atrocities, especially regarding the sexual enslavement issue.

“There are many books and articles that deal with the facts of dates, treaties, etc. but the effects on women seems somewhat overlooked, especially the women who were sexually enslaved,” said Cawley. “Needless to say, Japan does not want to own this legacy but it must completely and utterly acknowledge its transgressions right down to every last unpleasant detail.”

The Irish expert said he took interest on the case as his homeland shares similar background which also has a history of being occupied. He lectures on Korean philosophy and engages in “deconstruction,” French Philosopher Jacques Derrida’s critical approach, as a means for his analysis.

“In many ways Koreans are like the Irish of the East, and the Irish are the Koreans of the West,” he said. “There are many unresolved issues remaining between Ireland and England too.”

Over half a century passed but Tokyo is yet to admit its official involvement in forcing Korean women into sex slave camps to serve for imperial Japanese soldiers. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approximately 50,000 to 200,000 Korean women were mobilized for such purpose and 61 survive as of today.

Japanese government, while failing to offer a sincere apology against the victims, adheres to the position that the issue has been settled through 1965 Korea-Japan claims settlement agreement that offered Seoul $800 million in grants and soft loans. In line with the stance, Tokyo continuously refuses to engage in bilateral talks with Seoul over the matter.

Cawley, however, suggested Seoul to take a mild approach in dealing with Japan saying appealing the issue at international stages is not helpful. He added dressing down Japan’s past atrocities in history books is not a smart approach either since such move could further let Japan “deny responsibility and elude the possibility of forgiveness.”

“Average Japanese person is not responsible for the horrendous colonial legacy, though they should be made aware of it,” said the expert.

He, alternatively, called for a party-to-party approach urging Japan to take the initiative for being the aggressor.

“Japan needs to make the first move and, in addition, Koreans need to be ready and willing to move forward as well,” he said. “Japan should learn from Germany’s example in Europe where it is illegal to deny the holocaust.”

Germany, unlike Japan, accepts wartime responsibility during the Nazi regime bearing witness to all its atrocities.

“The women who survived the sex-slave camps deserve the same legacy,” he said. “They should be acknowledged and be remembered.”

The director of UCC’s Korean Institute also warned Japan there is no point trying to “cover up” its past wrongdoings in this time where knowledge is very much free and easily accessible.

“Japan will only end up losing total face when trying to cover up as everyone already knows what has happened,” he said. “The rediscovery of history through the exchange of honest and just knowledge is indeed virtuous and of great importance, so that future generations of Koreans and Japanese do not forget ‘their’ past.” <The Korea Times/Chung Min-uck>