A meeting is scheduled today in the Hague between President Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Korean President Park Geun Hye, reports Bloomberg.(photo by Keith PR)
It’s a sign the United States is concerned about the growing tension between Japan and South Korea over such issue as the East Sea v Sea of Japan and the comfort women.
“When America’s two primary allies in Northeast Asia are at odds with one another, it cannot possibly serve U.S. national interests or help promote regional stability,” said Ralph Cossa, president of the Hawaii-based Pacific Forum CSIS.
A symbol of that tension lives at a shelter near Seoul.
86-year old Yi Ok Seon recalls being used as a sex slave by Japan during WWII and being raped when she resisted.
“Beatings would follow if I resisted the rape,” she said. “I was helpless. When I look at my scars now, I am reminded how lucky I am to have survived those years.”
She invited Japanese Prime Minister Abe to come see for herself the physical scars that remain under her trouser cuff.
Korean officials have riled some Japanese as they continue to memorialize the Comfort Women and push for recognition of the name the East Sea instead of Sea of Japan, which they see as a reminder of imperial Japan.
You can read more about today’s schedule meeting at the Hague in Bloomberg.
