South Korean Newspaper: Wartime Atomic Bombings Were 'Divine Punishement' On Japan For Wartime Atrocities

Photo: The atomic bombing of Hiroshima

South Korean Newspaper Says Hiroshima 'Divine Punishment' For Japan's Wartime Acts -- The Telegraph

The Hiroshima and Nagasaki wartime atomic bombings were "divine punishment" on Japan, a South Korean newspaper has claimed.

The article stated that the 1945 nuclear bombs were justified as a response to Japan's lethal experiments on humans during the War.

"God often borrows the hand of a human to punish the evil deeds of men," the paper said in an anonymous comment piece.

Referring to the activity of Unit 731, the infamous Japanese biological and chemical research facility that carried out the experiments, the article read: "The cries (of the unit's victims) reached heaven and the bombs were dropped on Tokyo and the atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki."

The piece also accused the Japanese government of denying the worst of Japan's wartime abuses, before warning: "God may feel that retaliation against Japan hasn't been complete."

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My Comment: Even though the war ended almost 70 years ago .... the bitterness and hatreds still exist .... and will probably be the case for the next century or two.

Island Disputes In Asia Threaten The Global Economy

Japan, China, South Korea Island Disputes Threaten Global Economy (+ Video) -- Daniel McDowell, Christian Science Monitor

Island disputes between Japan, China, and South Korea are threatening financial stability in East Asia, and with it, the global economy. The next US administration should push publicly and persistently for a solution.

What are the biggest short-term threats to the global economy? The two most obvious answers are the ongoing European debt crisis and the looming austerity of the “fiscal cliff” in the United States. But what if I told you that in the running for honorable mention is the sticky situation in East Asia surrounding territorial disputes over several small islands?

At the heart of these disputes lie the region’s “big three” economies: China, Japan, and South Korea. Beijing and Tokyo are at odds over who has rights to the Senkaku Islands (or in China, the Diaoyu) and, more important, the potential oil deposits in the surrounding waters. Meanwhile, Japan has a similar dispute with South Korea over the Takeshima Islands (or in South Korea, the Dokdo), also with energy deposits.

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My Comment: When the world's #2, #3, and #15 economies are in a major dispute that threatens to escalate .... we should all take notice. And while I doubt that this will escalate into a military confrontation, I do see the possibility that economic measures/sanctions will be taken that will hurt the economies in these three nations. And if history is any indication, when economic sanctions/duties/embargoes/etc. are implemented, it will only be a matter of time before we start to feel it on the other side of the world.

South Korea And China Want Japan To Show Greater Contrition Over Their Conduct During The Second World War

Japanese nationalists march to pay tribute to the country's war dead near the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo. Photograph: Issei Kato/Reuters

South Korea And China Urge Japan To Show Greater Contrition Over War -- The Guardian

On 67th anniversary of the second world war, comments by the South Korean president prompt official protest from Japan.

Tension between Japan and its Asian neighbours escalated on Wednesday, the 67th anniversary of the end of the second world war, as South Korea and China both told Tokyo to do more to resolve lingering bitterness over its past military aggression.

Memories of Japan's wartime occupation of much of China and colonisation of South Korea remain powerful, despite close economic ties.

Comments by the South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak, prompted an official protest from Japan, where he was accused of insulting the Japanese emperor, Akihito.

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My Comment: The war ended 67 years ago .... time to move on. Unfortunately .... both sides cannot.

Japan - South Korean Tensions Rise Over Disputed Islets

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visiting the remote islands Photo: Reuters

South Korean’s Visit to Disputed Islets Angers Japan -- New York Times

SEOUL, South Korea — President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea flew to a set of islets locked in a territorial dispute with Japan on Friday, dismissing protests from Tokyo and making a trip that was bound to heighten diplomatic tensions between Washington’s two key Asian allies.

Japan called Mr. Lee’s visit “unacceptable” and recalled its ambassador from Seoul in protest, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters in Tokyo.

Adding drama to the simmering historical hostility that Mr. Lee’s surprise trip magnified, the archrivals South Korea and Japan were set to clash in London on Friday for the Olympic bronze medal in soccer, a game to be watched by millions of people in both countries.

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More News On Japan - South Korean Tensions Over Disputed Islets

Japan Recalls S. Korean Ambassador Over Island Visit -- Voice of America
South Korean leader visits contested islands -- The Telegraph
South Korean President Visits Islets Disputed with Japan -- Voice of America
SKorean leader visits islets also claimed by Japan -- Bloomberg Businessweek
SKorean Leader Visits Islets, Draws Japan Protest -- ABC/AP
South Korea's Lee Myung-bak visits disputed islands -- BBC
S. Korea's Lee visits disputed islets despite protests -- Xinhuanet (China)
South Korea-Japan dispute flares -- The Australian
South Korea and Japan face off over disputed islands -- The Guardian
Why Japan is angry over South Korea's visit to an island -- Jason Strother, Christian Science Monitor
Profile: Dokdo/Takeshima islands -- BBC

Recriminations In South Korea Over Botched Japan Military Deal

Photo: Korean President Lee. Reuters

Recriminations Fly in South Korea After Backing Off Japan Military Deal -- Wall Street Journal

One sign that President Lee Myung-bak is near the end of his term: his ministries have broken down into acrimony and finger-pointing over Friday’s last-minute backoff from signing a military agreement with Japan.

The decision not to sign a pact that does little more than provide legal clearance for the Japanese and South Korean militaries to communicate with each other was embarrassing and preventable.

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More News On Recriminations In South Korea Over Botched Japan Military Deal

S.Korea's President raps cabinet on bungled pact with Japan -- AFP
Lee rebukes officials for mishandling military pact with Japan -- Yonhap News
FM apologizes for pursuing military pact with Japan without people's support -- Yonhap News
Gov't Could Scrap Military Pact with Japan if Lawmakers Say No -- Chosun Ilbo
Seoul smarts after Japan pact fiasco -- Korea Herald
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak states military pact will go forward -- Japan Daily Press

South Korea And Japan Postpone Signing Their Intelligence Pact

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak speaks during the 10th anniversary commemorative ceremony of the second naval battle of Yeonpyeong at the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, about 45 miles south of Seoul, on June 29, 2012. The speech came in lieu of a botched intelligence-sharing pack between Seoul and Tokyo. Stringer-Korea/Reuters

South Korea And Japan Put Military Intelligence Pact On Hold After Outcry -- CNN

Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- South Korea and Japan on Friday postponed the signing of a landmark military intelligence pact after the prospect stirred discontent among Koreans.

Japan occupied Korea for 35 years during the first half of the 20th century, and anti-Japanese sentiment still lingers.

The two countries had originally been scheduled to sign the accord in Tokyo on Friday. But the ceremony has been put on hold pending consultations on the matter with the South Korean National Assembly, an official at the South Korean Foreign Ministry said.

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More News On Japan And South Korea Postponing Their Intelligence Pact

S. Korea Postpones Signing Military Pact with Japan -- Voice of America
South Korea Postpones Military Data Pact With Japan -- New York Times
SKorea puts off Japan military pact at last minute -- FOX News/AP
S. Korea Postpones Military Intelligence Accord With Japan -- Bloomberg Businessweek
At last minute, S. Korea postpones signing first military pact with Japan since World War II -- Washington post
U.S. Korea, Japan postpone landmark military pact -- AFP
S Korea, Japan postpone military agreement -- The Australian
South Korea postpones historic military pact with Japan -- BBC
South Korea and Japan put intelligence pact on hold -- The Guardian

Fresh Claims To Disputed Islands Raises Tensions Between South Korea And Japan

Image: Known as Dokdo (Solitary islands) in Korea, Takeshima (Bamboo islands) in Japan. Also known as Liancourt rocks Japan's and South Korea's claims go back centuries, but islands occupied by S Korea since 1953. Just 230,000 sq m in size, with no fresh water. But surrounding waters valuable for their fishing

Japan's Fresh Claim To Disputed Islands Reignites Feud With South Korea -- Christian Science Monitor

A Japanese defense report released today reiterates the country's claims to a small chain of islands that South Korea also claims as its own.

A diplomatic showdown between Japan and South Korea is heating up over group of tiny rock outcroppings in the Japan Sea.

Japan released its 2011 defense report today, reiterating its claim to a chain of small islands (see map here) also claimed by South Korea.

The document comes a day after South Korea denied three Japanese lawmakers entry into the country. The three intended to visit Ulleung Island, the South Korean island closest to the disputed chain, known as the Dokdo Islands in South Korea and the Takeshima Islands in Japan. South Korean officials told the lawmakers that the visit could "trigger actions that would threaten public safety," the Japan Times reports.

The topic is so sensitive that even the talk of a visit launched protests in South Korea.

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More News On Japan - South Korean Tensions

Seoul Summons Japanese Diplomats Over Renewed Islands Claim -- Voice of America
SKorea summons Japan envoy over island dispute -- AJC/AP
South Korea blocks Japanese politicians from entering airport -- CNN
Japanese Lawmakers Barred from South Korea -- Voice of America
S. Korea bans Japanese lawmakers in islands row -- AFP
Japanese lawmakers leave after entry ban: Seoul -- Asia One
S.Korea's defense ministry protests Japan's latest claim to disputed islets -- Xinhuanet
US hopes for restraint between Japan, S.Korea -- AFP

Japan And South Korea Have Agreed To Bolster Their Security Ties

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, left, and his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa, shake hands before holding talks to bolster security ties between the two countries, at the Ministry of National Defense, Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times

Seoul, Tokyo Agree To Seek Military Pact -- Korea Times

Top military officials of South Korea and Japan agreed to bolster security ties between their countries Monday, amid a growing call for a regional alliance framework from the United States.

The discussion between Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa took place in Seoul at a time when U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is holding talks with his Chinese counterpart Liang Guanglie in Beijing to boost bilateral military exchanges.

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More News On South Korean - Japanese Military Cooperation

S. Korea, Japanese ministers meet -- UPI
SKorea, Japan to discuss first-ever military pact -- AP
Korea, Japan talk of military pact -- Joong Ang Daily
China's Support for Kim Jong Il Drives Japan, South Korea to Bolster Ties -- Bloomberg
S. Korea, Japan Defense Chiefs Hold Military Talks in Seoul -- Arirang

Japan And South Korea Seek A Military Arrangement

Japan, South Korea To Discuss Defense Ties And N.Korea -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Japanese and South Korean defense ministers will meet next week in Seoul to discuss boosting military ties in the wake of deadly attacks from North Korea, a South Korean official said on Tuesday.

But Japan's Toshimi Kitazawa and his South Korean counterpart Kim Kwan-jin have no plans to sign a joint statement on security cooperation when they meet on January 10, the Defense Ministry official said.

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More News On A Japan - South Korean Military Arrangement

Japan seeks to form cooperative pact with South Korea for int'l operations -- Mainichi News
Tokyo, Seoul eye more military cooperation -media -- Reuters
Seoul, Tokyo seek 1st military pact -- Korea Times
Japan, South Korea to Seek Military Cooperation, Yomiuri Says -- Bloomberg
S. Korea, Japan defense chiefs to hold talks in Seoul next week -- Yonhap News
Military pact sought with South Korea -- Japan Times
S. Korea Denies Report on Seoul-Tokyo Military Cooperation -- CRIEnglish

My Comment: I suspect that many in South Korea must feel very uncomfortable in having any military talks with Japan, but in view of North Korea's belligerence .... what choice do they have.

Japan Formally Apologizes To South Korea For Decades Of Occupation

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan attends a news conference at his official residence in Tokyo yesterday, where he apologized to Koreans for their suffering under Japan’s colonization of the peninsula. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Japan Apologizes To South Korea For Decades Of Colonial Rule -- L.A. Times

More than 50 years after Japan ended its Korean occupation at the close of World War II, many wounds have still not healed.

SEOUL — On the 100th anniversary Tuesday of Japan's annexation of the Korean peninsula, office worker Hwang Jung-won listened as Japan's prime minister apologized for his nation's role in decades of harsh colonial rule. But like many others here, she wasn't convinced of the sincerity of this latest mea-culpa.

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More News On Japan Formally Apologizing To South Korea For Decades Of Occupation

Japan Apologizes to South Korea on Colonization -- New York Times
Japan apologises to South Korea for imperialist past -- BBC
Japan PM Kan Apologizes For Colonization Of Korea -- Wall Street Journal
Japan Apologizes Directly to Koreans for Annexing Country a Century Ago -- Voice of America
Japan apologizes to SKorea for colonial rule -- AP
Japan repeats apology for Korean occupation as ties with Seoul improve -- The Guardian
Japan’s premier admits coercive annexation -- Joong Ang Daily
S. Korea gives mixed welcome to Japan's apology for colonization -- Xinhuanet

Japan And South Korea Work Together To Pressure North Korea To Stop Their Nuclear Weapons Program

Japan and South Korea told North Korea it should return unconditionally
to nuclear disarmament talks. Photo AFP

Japan, South Korea Pull Together on North's Nuclear Weapons -- Voice of America

The top diplomats of Japan and South Korea are closing ranks on their demand that North Korea return to negotiations to end its nuclear weapons programs. After a meeting in the South Korean capital, Tokyo's foreign minister also offered regrets aimed at soothing historical Korean grievances.

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan demanded Thursday North Korea come back unconditionally to six-nation talks aimed at getting rid of its nuclear weapons capability.

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More News On South Korean And Japanese Cooperation On North Korea

Sanctions stay until North Korea talks: South, Japan -- Reuters
No terms on nuke talks Japan, S.Korea tell N.Korea -- AFP
S. Korea, Japan Agree to Bolster Intelligence-Sharing on N. Korea -- Yemen News Agency
Japan bolsters ties with Seoul against North Korea -- UPI
S Korea, Japan pledge renewed ties and cooperation on DPRK's nuclear issues -- People's Daily

My Comment: If China gets involved into this mix .... quicker progress will probably be the result. Unfortunately, China is presently just sitting on the fence.