By Kim Tae-gyu
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his subordinates have sought to review or even nullify the 1993 Kono Statement, which acknowledged the forcible mobilization of sex slaves during World War II.
Analysts say that such a move reflects their ultra-rightist nationalist view that Japan was not an aggressor but an Asian leader that put forth great efforts in order to safeguard East Asia from Western forces but unfortunately failed.
"Japan's rightists appear to think that they did much for the development of East Asia and there would have been no problems if they had won World War II," said Jin Chang-soo of the Sejong Institute.
"Then, they would not feel that guilty for the so-called comfort women as demonstrated by comments by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto. A similar rationale would be behind the maneuvers to change or shelve the Kono Statement."
The wartime sex slaves are euphemistically called "comfort women."
Last year, Hashimoto raised the ire of Koreans and the Chinese by saying that Japan's use of sexual slavery was necessary to maintain discipline in the military and to "console" soldiers who risked their lives.
However, Jin said that a majority of the Japanese are against such extremist views and do not expect that Abe and his men will completely negate the Kono Statement, which was accepted by his predecessors.
His claim is in line with recent remarks by Professor Gerald Curtis of Columbia University, who saw such a mindset in the Japanese, including Abe, who paid a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine late last year that houses the remains of 14 Class-A war criminals.
"You cannot go to Yasukuni and not be implicated in the political view that Japan fought and unfortunately lost in a glorious war to free Asia from Western colonizers," Curtis, who is an authoritative expert on Japan, said at a forum in Seoul.
Some suggest that the Abe administration and its ultra-rightist members are shrewdly taking advantage of Korea's dilemma; the latter can do little against Japan's seamless provocations related to historic issues.
"Against Japan's aggressive actions or remarks, what do you think Korea can do? It won't stop trade with Japan or jettison the trilateral alliance with the U.S. and Japan. That would be the stupidest response," said Professor Jo Yang-hyeon at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.
"There is a view that Japan is coming up with its controversial actions and comments while being fully aware of the Korean dilemma. Since Korea-Japan relations couldn't be worse, it may try to forge ahead with its revisionist maneuvers."
No matter what Tokyo wants to achieve through a review of the Kono Statement, observers point out that its abolition would bring disastrous results in terms of the relationship.
Cheong Wa Dae also has such a view, but it does not expect that Japan would go so further as to strain its already frayed relations with its two neighbors.
"Japan is trying to review the Kono Statement, not annul it. And its remarks are very cautious. We do not expect that it will completely deny it," said a presidential office official.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his subordinates have sought to review or even nullify the 1993 Kono Statement, which acknowledged the forcible mobilization of sex slaves during World War II.
Analysts say that such a move reflects their ultra-rightist nationalist view that Japan was not an aggressor but an Asian leader that put forth great efforts in order to safeguard East Asia from Western forces but unfortunately failed.
"Japan's rightists appear to think that they did much for the development of East Asia and there would have been no problems if they had won World War II," said Jin Chang-soo of the Sejong Institute.
"Then, they would not feel that guilty for the so-called comfort women as demonstrated by comments by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto. A similar rationale would be behind the maneuvers to change or shelve the Kono Statement."
The wartime sex slaves are euphemistically called "comfort women."
Last year, Hashimoto raised the ire of Koreans and the Chinese by saying that Japan's use of sexual slavery was necessary to maintain discipline in the military and to "console" soldiers who risked their lives.
However, Jin said that a majority of the Japanese are against such extremist views and do not expect that Abe and his men will completely negate the Kono Statement, which was accepted by his predecessors.
His claim is in line with recent remarks by Professor Gerald Curtis of Columbia University, who saw such a mindset in the Japanese, including Abe, who paid a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine late last year that houses the remains of 14 Class-A war criminals.
"You cannot go to Yasukuni and not be implicated in the political view that Japan fought and unfortunately lost in a glorious war to free Asia from Western colonizers," Curtis, who is an authoritative expert on Japan, said at a forum in Seoul.
Some suggest that the Abe administration and its ultra-rightist members are shrewdly taking advantage of Korea's dilemma; the latter can do little against Japan's seamless provocations related to historic issues.
"Against Japan's aggressive actions or remarks, what do you think Korea can do? It won't stop trade with Japan or jettison the trilateral alliance with the U.S. and Japan. That would be the stupidest response," said Professor Jo Yang-hyeon at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.
"There is a view that Japan is coming up with its controversial actions and comments while being fully aware of the Korean dilemma. Since Korea-Japan relations couldn't be worse, it may try to forge ahead with its revisionist maneuvers."
No matter what Tokyo wants to achieve through a review of the Kono Statement, observers point out that its abolition would bring disastrous results in terms of the relationship.
Cheong Wa Dae also has such a view, but it does not expect that Japan would go so further as to strain its already frayed relations with its two neighbors.
"Japan is trying to review the Kono Statement, not annul it. And its remarks are very cautious. We do not expect that it will completely deny it," said a presidential office official.
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