Reflections on Session #7 (10/29)

[Anonymous]

I was not able to attend this lecture, however I did get notes from the classmates. I was shocked learning about the treatment of Korean women by the Japanese. I never realized the discord that existed between the two countries.

[Anonymous]

As mmaitchoukow stated, many young girls were misled to believe they were moving on in search of a better life. Unfortunately the process still continues to this day as several young women from Asia as well as other parts of the world are in search of a better life but end up in prostitution rings here in the US and Europe. I have read articles and seen television news documentaries that discuss how young women are either sold by their parents or are misled to think that they will come to another country as a waitress or an entry level worker. They subsequently forced by these "gangs" into prostitution until their debt is paid off.

[Anonymous]

A few points from this session stood out to me. The first was how male students who were depicted in works of art with long braided hair were not married while males with their hair up were seen as married individuals. I found this a fascinating means of quickly identifying who was attached and who was not. The second thing which shocked me was the fact that peasant women went around topless because it was easier to breastfeed children. Perhaps I am ignorant, but I have never heard of another civilization where women regardless of social class were allowed to walk around topless. The third interesting fact I discovered was the Korea set up a temporary government in Shanghai while trying to reestablish itself after Japanese colonialism. Finally, I found it quite interesting that the second Korean radio station helped unify the Korean language as well as its culture. I did not know that there were differences in the Korean language before this unification.

[Anonymous]

While completing my undergraduate studies, I worked at a Korean owned bank just west of downtown Los Angeles. I had the pleasure of meeting the President and, over several occasions, engaged in conversation with him over Korean history. He revealed his disdain for anything Japanese and how his home country had gone to such lengths to rebuild their language, culture, and identity after the Japanese occupation. He spoke from first hand experience being that, as a young man, he had witnessed horrors and humiliation that he could never forget. I was very grateful to him for sharing such a tragic time in his life.

E. Leyva

[Anonymous]

It seems that women are always victimized in a war wether its organized like the Japanese forcing the women to become prostitutes or the raping in bosinea. Sometimes individuals victimize the members the enemy or the opposite side but it seems like the women are always the losers.

[Anonymous]

In response to E. Leyva: While completing my undergraduate studies, I worked at a Korean owned bank just west of downtown Los Angeles. I had the pleasure of meeting the President and, over several occasions, engaged in conversation with him over Korean history. He revealed his disdain for anything Japanese and how his home country had gone to such lengths to rebuild their language, culture, and identity after the Japanese occupation. He spoke from first hand experience being that, as a young man, he had witnessed horrors and humiliation that he could never forget. I was very grateful to him for sharing such a tragic time in his life.

My grandmother shares her strong disdain for the Japanese, so do my friend's parents who are Korean. Both parties have endured the war with the Japanese and quite naturally, have harbored a lot of resentment toward the Japanese people. I'm Chinese and my boyfriend is Japanese. Imagine my grandmother's reaction to the news. She's cool with him now, but the truth is, there will always be discrimination and racism amongst the Asian countries because there is a need to feel powerful and better than others. It's what sparks nationalism. I don't agree with this, of course. But just like the fight for resources and the innate willpower to survive, countries will continue to compete amongst each other. Yes, we collaborate. But ultimately, Darwin's "survival of the fittest" resonates.

[Anonymous]

So was it the society that kept this dynasty alive for so long? Maybe knowing your role is power. I think this relates to school uniforms. Although it takes away individuality, it also takes away class status. I guess I wouldn't have this view if I were a slave or a Lowborn in Korea. In that case, you are what you are born, and that never changes.

[Anonymous]

I think this was one of the more interesting classes on Korean history. The way Koreans persevered is a great connection to elementary children while talking about the Holocaust. People find ways and loopholes within the system to survive. To foster more critical thinking skills, a great way to teach about the topic of Korean injustice is for students to come up with an action plan to solve the problems that existed during colonial Korea.

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Dear Colleagues,

Please post your reflections on Colonial Korea with Professor Jung-Kim for Monday, 10/29.

Best,
Yingjia

[Anonymous]

kperry: How is Korea still suffering today? How is Korea different from China in terms of the damage created by the Japanese?

[Author]

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