Koreans Are Less Tolerant Toward Criticism

A Japanese reporter who created a national controversy for his derogatory remark on a Korean food, and later said there was some "misunderstanding," defended himself, while pointing out that Koreans lack the spirit of tolerating criticisms.

Kuroda Katsuhiro, Seoul bureau chief of the Japanese right-leaning Sankei Shimbun, earlier called bibimbap "Yang Du Gu Yuk."

Yang Du Gu Yuk literally means "to hang a lamb's head outside the shop to lure customers, but actually sells a dog meat." It's comparable to the English expression of "crying wine, and selling vinegar."

In his interview with Chosun Ilbo on Saturday, he yet said there is indeed cultural difference that begot the misunderstanding on the term. Below is an excerpt of the interview.

Q:

You wrote about Dokdo, "comfort women" issues. Now, you are bringing up bibimbap. Are you trying to earn people's attention?

A:

For the last 20 years, I wrote countless articles on Korea. Most of them showed my affection to Korea. But only those negative articles were always highlighted (by the Korean media).

Do you feel "mistreated" regarding the bibimbap controversy?

I contributed to creating the Korean wave (hallyu) in Japan some 20 years ago. I taught Korean language at NHK in 1986. I published books on Korean food, travel. I lectured on Korea. I promoted Korea through all this. But now I receive this treatment. Don't you think I have a due reason to feel unfairly portrayed?

what about your previous comments on Korea-Japan relations? Were they an expression of what you truly believe?

They were my views as a journalist.

What about bibimbap?

When I made comments on the thorny diplomatic relations, I could anticipate some backfire coming. But the uproar on bibimbap made me totally unprepared. Is bibimbap such an important issue to Koreans?

There are some who say you can go back to your country if you don't like Korea.

The reason I left my family in Japan 30 years ago was wholly because of Korea. I gave up my family to know Korea. Every day, I spend 23 hours on Korea, and only one hour for Japan. How could you then say to me that I should leave?

Do you plan to continue to live in Korea?

Yes. Eating Korean food is one of the reasons.

Kuroda came to Korea in 1971. While working for Kyodo News Agency, in 1983 he published a bestseller titled "Koreans: Who Are You?" In 1989, he moved to Sankei newspaper when the media outlet promised to him that it would "allow him to work permanently in Korea."

"Korea is an interesting place with many stories to write," he said.