Soul-searching in Seoul

韓国植民地時代の「真相究明」

Japan colonized the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Imperial rule was harsh, aimed at extracting as many resources — including labor — as possible. While there can be no denying Japan's responsibility for the occupation and its consequences, South Koreans have been reluctant to acknowledge that the occupiers had help from many Koreans.

A thorough and honest assessment of that history has been delayed for fear of uncovering links between the Grand National Party, which governed South Korea for much of the postwar era, and the Japanese regime. Mr. Roh, a longtime member of the opposition, has no such concerns about what the past might reveal. The maturation of Korean democracy has created conditions that allow unblinkered scrutiny of the past. The task is to facilitate further democratization.

Mr. Roh announced the investigation in his Liberation Day speech, noting that "acts of betrayal in support of imperialist Japan and colonial rule at the same time our patriotic forefathers were staking their lives in the fight for the nation are hidden in the shade of history." Unfortunately, many Koreans argue that the move targets Ms. Park Geun Hye — head of the GNP, now the main opposition party, and the daughter of Park Chung Hee, who ruled the country from 1961 to 1979. Her father, assassinated in 1979, had served as a junior officer in the Japanese military.

It is no small irony, then, that the first victim of the inquiry is the chairman of the governing Uri Party (which backs Mr. Roh), Mr. Shin Ki Nam. He was forced to resign Aug. 19 following revelations that his father was a collaborator during the occupation. Mr. Shin initially denied allegations that his father served as a military police officer under the Japanese, but later acknowledged they were true. His resignation appeared to break the logjam. Afterward, governing and opposition parties agreed to the formation of the commission, as long as its mandate was "comprehensive" — meaning it should look into the history of collaboration with the Japanese as well as the activities of South Koreans who have engaged in pro-North Korean activities.

Leading the charge, the GNP's Ms. Park said, "The committee will have to bring to light who defended the country in the Korean War, who suffered from the atrocities done by the invasion, who defended the nation and who threatened national security in the showdown period between communism and liberal democracy."

The investigation could prove explosive as both sides try to settle scores. It must be insulated not only from domestic politics but from international relations, as there will be pressure to avoid looking too closely at ties between Pyongyang and sympathizers in the South to keep from damaging prospects for North-South reconciliation.

Although South Korea needs to know more about its history, uncovering the past needs to proceed very carefully. South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission provides a possible model for South Korea. There, a bitter past was uncovered and a divided nation healed. The commission had a chance to settle scores, but it did not.

A special burden is on commission members and on Mr. Roh, who will select them. The commissioners must be expert and impartial — and seen to be so. Given the role of spiritual faith in South Korea, there is likely to be a prominent role for religious leaders.

The public needs to be kept informed of the investigation. All involved must recognize that understanding, not punishment, is the objective. If that occurs, South Korea may come to terms with its past in a way that inspires rather than divides.

The Japan Times Weekly
Aug. 28, 2004
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      調査は党派に偏らず、「魔女狩り」にならないよう注意せねばならない。難しい条件だが、植民地時代の真相を知り、韓国の歴史の傷を「癒す」ためにもぜひ必要なことだ。

      1910〜1945年の植民地時代に、日本は朝鮮半島から労働力を始め多くの資源を搾取したが、現地住民には多くの親日協力者がいた。

      植民地時代についての徹底的調査は、戦後長期にわたって政権党だったハンナラ党と日本政府の癒着が表面化するのを恐れ棚上げされてきたが、野党出身の盧氏はその問題には無関係だった。また、民主主義の成熟によって徹底調査が可能な環境が整った。

      調査はハンナラ党の朴槿惠代表（故朴正　大統領の娘）を標的にしている、として反対の声も強い。故大統領は日本軍の下士官だった。

      一方、調査の第一の対象になっていた与党ウリ党の辛基南議長は父親が日本軍の憲兵だったことが発覚、19日に辞任した。その後、与野党は特別委が植民地時代の対日協力者ばかりでなく、対北朝鮮協力者も調査することに合意した。

      北朝鮮とその韓国側協力者の関係の精査は、南北和解に影響する恐れがあるとして、避けるべきだとの圧力がかかることが予測される。調査は国内政治だけでなく、国際関係とも切り離して行わねばならない。

      調査にあたっては、昔の恨みのはらし合いなしに国を社会的和解へと導くことに成功した、南アフリカの真実和解委員会がよい手本となるだろう。

      特別委の委員、委員を任命する大統領の責任は重い。調査の目的は関係者を処罰するのではなく事実関係を理解することだ。それができれば、国民を癒す形での過去の清算が可能になるだろう。