What we must never forget
By Lee Dong-huiIn 1945, World War II ended. As news of the surrender of Germany and Japan spread throughout the world, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets, rejoicing at the tidings of peace. For many, these were also tidings of freedom, as occupied territories and colonies of Axis powers were liberated or achieved independence, as Korea did. But as people contemplated what they had gained, they also became conscious of what they had lost. The freedom that people around the world had earned had not come free. Indeed, it had come at a heavy cost: over 60 million dead, trillions of dollars of damage and lasting wounds in the hearts of a generation.Today, 70 years after the end of the tragedy that was World War II, we commemorate the events, remembering the dead and honoring those still living. Yet, a question still haunts us: What will be the ultimate legacy of World War II? How should it be remembered decades or even centuries from now?History is a mirror through which we see the past. It teaches us lessons by showing some examples to follow, others to avoid. This
Sep 1, 2015