Message from kirion

[Anonymous]

Prof. Hwang presented his lecture by dividing it into 4 themes: (1) remembering historical consciousness and national identity (2) survival: development of distinctiveness (3) pre-modern era: stability and shifts (4) modernity: changes and perceptions.
Both South Korea and North Korea suffered from internal and external oppression: the absence of the spirit of national independence caused internal oppression, and the relations with countries surround Korea (like Japan, Russia, China, and U.S.A.) caused external oppression.

The Japanese colonial rule over Korea was cruel and inhuman oppression by military and civilian policemen with brutal tempers. The issue of the "comfort women" is still unsettled in many countries and areas occupied by Japan during WWII. I saw many Korean, Korean-Japanese, and the Japanese who support Korean in Japan protesting Japanese government. I really hope that Japanese government apologizes for what they have done to the Korean people, and find the way to heal the wounds.

The political situatiion of South Korea and North Korea reminds me of East and West Gernmany. The two Germanys reunited into one nation. I hope that someday Korea will become one strong nation, too.

During the session, Prof. Hwang used many images of related subjects on the screen. They were very interesting. I will try to use the culturally related images more often in my class.[Edit by="kirion on Aug 11, 12:26:28 AM"][/Edit]