Japan was the first non-Western country to achieve a high level of modernization during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Based on this, Japan increased its national power by invading, colonizing, and occupying Asian countries. Such events at the time were considered as a light for Japan but it was a huge tragedy and a dark shadow cast over Asian countries. After the war, Japan did not put in effort to change such shadow into light. Therefore, the shadow that was cast from the light of Japan’s history in the early 20th century is still hanging over Asia today in the 21st century. This book straightforwardly depicts the light shined by Japan’s history and the shadow cast from that light. It particularly focuses on the facts and causes of the shadow of Japan’s history, which has been neglected so far. Thus, when people learn and hear candidly about the shadow cast by Japan’s history, many of them will feel uncomfortable and be astonished. However, if such uncomfortableness is not confronted and overcome, reconciliation in Asia and Japan’s genuine development cannot be sought. Therefore, by revealing the true character of the shadow cast by Japan’s history, this book seeks to confront head-on the uncomfortableness that has been avoided to this day and tries to find a method of resolution. Franz Kafka said, “A book must be the axe that breaks the frozen sea inside us.” The author wishes this book to become ‘Kafka’s axe’ that breaks the uncomfortableness of the shadow of Japan’s history and allows future-oriented reconciliation and development. Furthermore, this book offers an opportunity to understand Japan and Asia’s past, present, and future from diverse angles.
Kindle Price: $9.69
includes tax, if applicable
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[Interview] An effort to show Japan’s dark side to the world
Posted on : Jan.7,2021 17:20 KST Modified on : Jan.7,2021 17:20 KST
Park Sun-cheol’s “An Inconvenient History” explores Japan’s wars of aggression in Asia
Author and historical researcher Park Cheol-sun
“An Inconvenient History: Japan’s Dark Shadow on Asia” is a book that was published in English in August 2020 by Park Cheol-sun, under the pseudonym Charles Park. The book is available in both paper editions and as an e-book for Amazon’s Kindle reader.
Park is the director of the Software Testing and Certification Laboratory, under Korea’s Telecommunications Technology Association.
“It took me nearly 10 years to write this book. When I asked Amazon to publish a paper edition, they reviewed it and gave me the green light,” Park recalled.
When the Hankyoreh sat down with Park at his office near Seohyeon Station, in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on Jan. 5, he explained his motivation for writing the book as follows.
“I wrote the book in English because I figured that, Japan won’t change until the international community has a clear idea of what Japan is really like. Japan has been whitewashed by most of the books written about it in other countries, such as ‘Japan as Number One,’ by former Harvard Professor Ezra Vogel.”
After passing the civil service exam in 1995, Park worked on IT policy for the South Korean government for 21 years, resigning five years ago. The institute he leads today mainly handles software testing and certification. More recently, it has also started assessing artificial intelligence (AI). The institute has 230 people on its staff, of whom 70% hold graduate degrees.
The cover of Park’s book “An Inconvenient History: Japan’s Dark Shadow on Asia”
Park’s book examines how countries in Asia were harmed by modern Japan’s wars of aggression, the reasons for Japan’s territorial expansion, and the failure to hold Japan fully responsible after the war. It also suggests how Japan could thrive alongside the international community. Finally, it provides historical background that can be helpful for accurately understanding Japan and the Japanese, including the imperial system and samurai culture.
“I compiled the damage suffered by Asian countries during the Japanese Empire’s wars of aggression. I don’t remember ever seeing a book like this in English. I also analyzed Japanese culture and psychology through cultural and anthropological methods.”
While Park is also translating his book into Korean, releasing the book in Korea wasn’t a major part of his plan.
“The point is for the book to be widely read in other countries. It’s important for people in the West and other countries to respond to the book’s message, which can pressure Japan to change,” Park explained.
“The changes in Germany after its defeat in World War II were the result of pressure from Israel and from Jewish society in the US and from Germany’s neighbors, including France and the UK.”
“But Japan was different. Korea and Vietnam were divided after the war, and China couldn’t exert pressure because of its socialist system. Japan took advantage of that situation to stick close to the US and to profit thereby.”
Park had the following to say about his use of the word “inconvenient” (the Korean word can also mean “uncomfortable”) in the subtitle of his book.
“Westerners have held a positive view of Japan because it’s an advanced country, just as they are. But if they read my book, they’ll feel uncomfortable about learning that Japan has failed to reckon with its past brutality and that it has misrepresented its domination of Asia as historical glory. It would also be uncomfortable for the Japanese to confront the lesser-known dark side of their history and for Koreans to ponder the trauma of the past.”
The photo on the cover of the book shows Japanese troops’ ceremonial entrance into the Chinese city of Nanjing in December 1937. “In six weeks in Nanjing, Japanese troops killed 300,000 people. I used a photo I took at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall six years ago for the cover of my book.”
Working to establish an organization for peace in Asia
For the past two years, Park has been working to set up a private organization for peace in Asia and for mitigating the conflict between South Korea and Japan. In October 2019, he held a press conference with Son Bong-ho, professor emeritus at Seoul National University, announcing those efforts.
“I decided to set up this organization after learning that Lee Chun-sik was upset about the export controls that Japan imposed on Korea after the Supreme Court sided with Lee in a case about damages for forced labor,” Park said.
“Since there’s little chance of concessions from the South Korean or Japanese governments, I thought that ordinary people should take measures to help the victims of forced labor under the Japanese Empire. Another goal was for ordinary people in Japan and other countries in East Asia to work together for peace in Asia.”
According to Park, 120 people have said they’ll help establish the organization and 120 million won (US$110,258), including 100 million (US$91,882) out of his own pocket, has been raised thus far.
Author Park Cheol-sun speaks during a press conference to advocate the establishment of a foundation that works toward peace in Asia. (provided by Park)
Park’s father was forcibly conscripted by the Japanese
Park’s interest in East Asian history sprang from his father’s experience with compulsory mobilization.
“In 1942, during World War II, my father was pressed into service in the South Seas Mandate and returned to Korea after Japan’s defeat in the war. At the age of 24, he was forced to leave behind a young son. He often talked about the difficulty of his life as a conscript.”
Park’s family history led him to major in history when he went to college. He entered the East Asia history department at Seoul National University in 1984. With his diploma in hand, he re-enrolled in the university, this time in the foreign affairs department.
“I was interested in East Asian relations because I thought Korea needed to find a way to survive among the four powerful countries vying for influence on the Peninsula.”
“That’s also when I got interested in Korea’s unification. On a fundamental level, the Korean Peninsula was divided because of Japan. Division was imposed on Korea, which had been a victim of the war, rather than on Japan, which had started the war.”
“I wanted to keep studying that area, but I had to give that up because of my family’s financial difficulties. Instead, I took the civil service exam. While I had to make a career in the government, I also continued researching on the side.”
Park remained a diligent student throughout his career, earning a total of eight degrees: three bachelor’s degrees, three master’s degrees, and two doctoral degrees. His degrees covered a wide range of areas: public administration and technical management (those were the doctoral degrees), as well as visual media, EU policy, international relations, and history.
What kind of reception has the book gotten in the four months since its release?
“I’ve sold several hundred copies of my book on the Amazon website. I also sent promotional copies to major media outlets in the US, the UK, Australia, and Singapore this past November, but they haven’t covered it.”
“Moving forward, I intend to start promoting my book on YouTube. I’m planning to post five or six videos about my book to YouTube by next month.”
Park offered these final reflections at the end of the interview. “The older I get, the more I remember my father. I wouldn’t be here today if not for the hardships that he endured. I feel obligated to remember people like my father. I’ve got to do something meaningful with my life.”
By Kang Sung-man, senior staff writer
----
[Interview] An effort to show Japan’s dark side to the world
Posted on : Jan.7,2021 17:20 KST Modified on : Jan.7,2021 17:20 KST
Park Sun-cheol’s “An Inconvenient History” explores Japan’s wars of aggression in Asia
Author and historical researcher Park Cheol-sun
“An Inconvenient History: Japan’s Dark Shadow on Asia” is a book that was published in English in August 2020 by Park Cheol-sun, under the pseudonym Charles Park. The book is available in both paper editions and as an e-book for Amazon’s Kindle reader.
Park is the director of the Software Testing and Certification Laboratory, under Korea’s Telecommunications Technology Association.
“It took me nearly 10 years to write this book. When I asked Amazon to publish a paper edition, they reviewed it and gave me the green light,” Park recalled.
When the Hankyoreh sat down with Park at his office near Seohyeon Station, in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on Jan. 5, he explained his motivation for writing the book as follows.
“I wrote the book in English because I figured that, Japan won’t change until the international community has a clear idea of what Japan is really like. Japan has been whitewashed by most of the books written about it in other countries, such as ‘Japan as Number One,’ by former Harvard Professor Ezra Vogel.”
After passing the civil service exam in 1995, Park worked on IT policy for the South Korean government for 21 years, resigning five years ago. The institute he leads today mainly handles software testing and certification. More recently, it has also started assessing artificial intelligence (AI). The institute has 230 people on its staff, of whom 70% hold graduate degrees.
The cover of Park’s book “An Inconvenient History: Japan’s Dark Shadow on Asia”
Park’s book examines how countries in Asia were harmed by modern Japan’s wars of aggression, the reasons for Japan’s territorial expansion, and the failure to hold Japan fully responsible after the war. It also suggests how Japan could thrive alongside the international community. Finally, it provides historical background that can be helpful for accurately understanding Japan and the Japanese, including the imperial system and samurai culture.
“I compiled the damage suffered by Asian countries during the Japanese Empire’s wars of aggression. I don’t remember ever seeing a book like this in English. I also analyzed Japanese culture and psychology through cultural and anthropological methods.”
While Park is also translating his book into Korean, releasing the book in Korea wasn’t a major part of his plan.
“The point is for the book to be widely read in other countries. It’s important for people in the West and other countries to respond to the book’s message, which can pressure Japan to change,” Park explained.
“The changes in Germany after its defeat in World War II were the result of pressure from Israel and from Jewish society in the US and from Germany’s neighbors, including France and the UK.”
“But Japan was different. Korea and Vietnam were divided after the war, and China couldn’t exert pressure because of its socialist system. Japan took advantage of that situation to stick close to the US and to profit thereby.”
Park had the following to say about his use of the word “inconvenient” (the Korean word can also mean “uncomfortable”) in the subtitle of his book.
“Westerners have held a positive view of Japan because it’s an advanced country, just as they are. But if they read my book, they’ll feel uncomfortable about learning that Japan has failed to reckon with its past brutality and that it has misrepresented its domination of Asia as historical glory. It would also be uncomfortable for the Japanese to confront the lesser-known dark side of their history and for Koreans to ponder the trauma of the past.”
The photo on the cover of the book shows Japanese troops’ ceremonial entrance into the Chinese city of Nanjing in December 1937. “In six weeks in Nanjing, Japanese troops killed 300,000 people. I used a photo I took at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall six years ago for the cover of my book.”
Working to establish an organization for peace in Asia
For the past two years, Park has been working to set up a private organization for peace in Asia and for mitigating the conflict between South Korea and Japan. In October 2019, he held a press conference with Son Bong-ho, professor emeritus at Seoul National University, announcing those efforts.
“I decided to set up this organization after learning that Lee Chun-sik was upset about the export controls that Japan imposed on Korea after the Supreme Court sided with Lee in a case about damages for forced labor,” Park said.
“Since there’s little chance of concessions from the South Korean or Japanese governments, I thought that ordinary people should take measures to help the victims of forced labor under the Japanese Empire. Another goal was for ordinary people in Japan and other countries in East Asia to work together for peace in Asia.”
According to Park, 120 people have said they’ll help establish the organization and 120 million won (US$110,258), including 100 million (US$91,882) out of his own pocket, has been raised thus far.
Author Park Cheol-sun speaks during a press conference to advocate the establishment of a foundation that works toward peace in Asia. (provided by Park)
Park’s father was forcibly conscripted by the Japanese
Park’s interest in East Asian history sprang from his father’s experience with compulsory mobilization.
“In 1942, during World War II, my father was pressed into service in the South Seas Mandate and returned to Korea after Japan’s defeat in the war. At the age of 24, he was forced to leave behind a young son. He often talked about the difficulty of his life as a conscript.”
Park’s family history led him to major in history when he went to college. He entered the East Asia history department at Seoul National University in 1984. With his diploma in hand, he re-enrolled in the university, this time in the foreign affairs department.
“I was interested in East Asian relations because I thought Korea needed to find a way to survive among the four powerful countries vying for influence on the Peninsula.”
“That’s also when I got interested in Korea’s unification. On a fundamental level, the Korean Peninsula was divided because of Japan. Division was imposed on Korea, which had been a victim of the war, rather than on Japan, which had started the war.”
“I wanted to keep studying that area, but I had to give that up because of my family’s financial difficulties. Instead, I took the civil service exam. While I had to make a career in the government, I also continued researching on the side.”
Park remained a diligent student throughout his career, earning a total of eight degrees: three bachelor’s degrees, three master’s degrees, and two doctoral degrees. His degrees covered a wide range of areas: public administration and technical management (those were the doctoral degrees), as well as visual media, EU policy, international relations, and history.
What kind of reception has the book gotten in the four months since its release?
“I’ve sold several hundred copies of my book on the Amazon website. I also sent promotional copies to major media outlets in the US, the UK, Australia, and Singapore this past November, but they haven’t covered it.”
“Moving forward, I intend to start promoting my book on YouTube. I’m planning to post five or six videos about my book to YouTube by next month.”
Park offered these final reflections at the end of the interview. “The older I get, the more I remember my father. I wouldn’t be here today if not for the hardships that he endured. I feel obligated to remember people like my father. I’ve got to do something meaningful with my life.”
By Kang Sung-man, senior staff writer
---
［インタビュー］「侵略反省ない『日本の素顔』を知ってもらうため英語で書きました」
登録:2021-01-07 03:26 修正:2021-01-07 09:02
日本批判書を発行した歴史研究家パク・チョルスン所長 ［インタビュー］「侵略反省ない『日本の素顔』を知ってもらうため英語で書きました」
日本批判書を発行した歴史研究家パク・チョルスン所長//ハンギョレ新聞社
『不都合な歴史-アジアを覆う日本の暗い影(An Inconvenient History: Japan's Dark Shadow on Asia)』。韓国情報通信技術協会ソフトウェア試験認証研究所のパク・チョルスン所長(写真)が「チャールズ・パク」というペンネームで昨年8月に英語で出版した本だ。アマゾンのKindle(キンドル)には電子書籍と紙の本が両方とも出ている。「執筆に10年近くかかりました。アマゾンに紙の本の出版を申請したら、審査が行われた後、出そうと言われました」
今月5日、京畿道城南市(ソンナムシ)のソヒョン駅近くの事務所で取材に応じたパクさんは、執筆の動機をこのように明かした。「日本の変化を引き出すには、国際社会が日本の本当の姿を正しく認識しなければならないという考えから、英語で書きました。エズラ・ヴォーゲル元ハーバード大学教授が書いた『ジャパン・アズ・ナンバーワン』のように、これまで外国で出た日本をテーマとする本を見ると、ほとんどが日本を美化しているんです」
パクさんは行政国家公務員試験に合格し、1995年から21年にわたって情報通信政策を扱う公職者として働き、5年前に退職した。彼が率いる研究所は、ソフトウェア試験評価と認証を主に行っているが、最近は人工知能の評価も加わったそうだ。約230人の職員の70％が修士または博士号を持っている。
パク所長が昨年出版した日本批判書の表紙//ハンギョレ新聞社
同書は、近代日本の侵略によってアジア諸国が受けた被害と、日本が領土拡張に乗り出した背景、そして戦後に日本の戦争責任をきちんと問えなかったことなどを指摘し、日本と国際社会が共存共栄するための代案も提示している。また、天皇制や侍文化など、日本と日本人を正しく理解する上で役立つ歴史的背景も扱っている。「アジア諸国が日帝の侵略によって受けた被害を総合的にまとめました。英語でこんな本は見た記憶がありません。日本人の文化と心理も文化人類学的方法で分析しました」
パクさんは韓国語でも出すために翻訳しているが、韓国での出版は自らの意図とはあまり合致しないという。「外国でたくさん読まれるべきだからです。西洋などの外国人たちが本の内容に共感して、日本へ変化を迫る圧力として作用することが重要です。敗戦後のドイツの変化も、イスラエルや米国のユダヤ人社会やフランス、イギリスなどの周辺諸国の圧力が作用した結果です。しかし、日本は違いました。戦後、韓国やベトナムは分断状態にあり、中国は社会主義体制であるため、圧力をかけられませんでした。その間に日本は米国にくっついて自国の利益を得てきました」
パクさんは、本のタイトルにある「不都合な」という表現について次のように述べた。「西洋の人々はこれまで、自分たちと同じ先進国だとして、日本を良いイメージで見てきました。しかし私の本を読めば日本が過去に残虐な行為をしたにもかかわらず反省していなかったり、アジア支配を栄光の歴史として歪曲したりしているのを見て、居心地の悪さを感じざるを得ないでしょう。日本人も表に出ていなかった自分たちの醜い歴史を見て、また韓国人は過去の傷を振り返らねばならないわけですから不都合でしょう」
本の表紙には、1937年12月に日本軍が中国の南京城に進入する記念式の写真を使った。「日本軍は南京において6週間で30万人を殺しました。表紙の写真は私が6年前に南京大虐殺記念館で撮ったものです」
昨年8月、アマゾンKindleで紙版と電子版を同時発売
『不都合な歴史-日本の暗い影』
「日本人の心理も分析…10年かけて執筆」
東洋史専攻、20年あまり公職に
「強制徴用を経験した父親の世代を記憶するため」
「韓日対立緩和」に向け民間団体設立を推進
パクさんは昨年から「韓日対立の緩和とアジアの平和」の実現を目指す民間団体の設立も進めている。2019年10月にはソウル大学のソン・ボンホ名誉教授らとともに設立準備の記者会見も行っている。「最高裁判決で徴用被害訴訟に勝ったイ・チュンシクさんが裁判後、日本が輸出規制を行ったことで苦しんでいるという話を聞き、団体の設立を決心しました。韓日両政府の譲歩は期待しにくい状況なので、一般人ではありますが強制動員被害者を助けようという考えでした。日本を含む東アジアの市民が連帯し、アジアの平和のための活動を行おうという意図もあったんです」。パクさんは、団体設立に120人あまりが参加する意思を表明し、設立基金は自らが出した1億ウォンを含め、1億2000万ウォン(約1130万円)が集まったと語った。
「アジア平和未来財団」設立に向けた一昨年の記者会見で、パク所長が団体設立の趣旨について説明している=パク・チョルスン所長提供//ハンギョレ新聞社
パクさんが東アジアの歴史に関心を持つようになった背景には、父親の徴用体験がある。「父が太平洋戦争のただ中の1942年、南洋諸島に強制動員され、日本の敗戦後に帰国しました。24歳の時で、幼い息子が一人いるのに連れて行かれたんです。徴用の時は大変だったという話をよくしていました」。このような家族史は、パクさんが大学の専攻を決める際に、彼を史学科へと導いた。パクさんは1984年、ソウル大学東洋史学科に入り、卒業証書を受け取った後、再び母校の外交学科に学士編入した。「東アジアの国際関係史に興味があったんです。韓国が『4大国』の狭間で生き残ることが最も重要だと思ったんです。その時から統一にも大いに関心がありました。我々が分断されたのは、根本的には日本のせいじゃないですか。戦争を引き起こした日本ではなく、戦争被害国の我々がスケープゴートとなって分断されたんです。この分野でずっと学んでいたかったんですが、家計が苦しいためにあきらめて行政公務員試験を受けました。仕方なく公務員生活を送ったんですが、公職でも研究は続けていました」
パクさんは官僚時代にも学習を続け、8つの学位(学士と修士がそれぞれ3つ、博士が2つ)を取った。行政学と技術経営(以上博士)、メディア映像、欧州連合の政策、国際関係、歴史学など、分野も様々だ。
本が出版されて4カ月が過ぎた。反応は？ 「アマゾンで数百冊売れました。昨年11月から宣伝を始め、米国、英国、オーストラリア、シンガポールの主要メディアに本を送ったんですが、まだ報道されていません。これからユーチューブで本格的に宣伝しようと思っています。来月までにユーチューブに本の紹介動画を5～6本アップする計画です」
パクさんはインタビューの最後にこのようなことを言った。「歳を取るにつれて、父のことがよく思い出されます。父が経験した苦難のおかげで今の私がいるわけですから。父のような方々を記憶しておかねばならないという義務を感じます。生きているうちに意味のあることをしなければ」
文・写真/カン・ソンマン先任記者 (お問い合わせ japan@hani.co.kr )
http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/culture/book/977626.html
韓国語原文入力:2021-01-06 19:39
訳D.K
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