BETWEEN ANIMOSITY AND RECONCILIATION: JAPAN-ROK RELATIONS
Loading...
Authors
Johnson, Graham
Subjects
Japan-ROK relations
historical animosity
reconciliation
historical narrative
national myths
collective memory
public opinion
Japan
Republic of Korea
South Korea
cultural identity
historical animosity
reconciliation
historical narrative
national myths
collective memory
public opinion
Japan
Republic of Korea
South Korea
cultural identity
Advisors
Meyskens, Covell F.
Date of Issue
2022-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Historical animosities within the Republic of Korea over Japanese atrocities committed prior to and during World War II continue to be evident in many aspects of contemporary Japan-ROK relations. Reconciling historical animosities has become an important aspect of Japan-ROK relations because they present a major hurdle in developing stronger bilateral ties between two major alliance partners with the United States. This thesis examines how state-led historical narratives, national mythmaking, and the promotion of self-other identities have influenced the intergovernmental and people-to-people reconciliation process and how they are preventing deep interstate reconciliation from occurring today. This thesis finds that postwar historical narratives and national myths have solidified divergent collective memories and cultural identities within Japanese and Korean societies that have negatively impacted their ability to permanently reconcile historical animosities. Specifically, reconciliation efforts are hindered by revisionist narratives over Japan’s colonial occupation of Korea (1910–1945) as the issues of comfort women, forced labor, and territorial disputes have elevated divergent perceptions to crises of national identity. Understanding the barriers to greater reconciliation in Japan-ROK relations has implications for reconciliation’s important role in providing stability within the East Asian region that aligns with the interests of the United States.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.