When South Korean President Park Geun Hye recently stated that Japan should “return to the right path” regarding relations with its closest neighbour, the news quickly attracted the attention of right-wing netizens.
Park went on to say that she believed the majority of Japanese people were different from politicians, thus implying that most Japanese people like Korea. This statement in particular riled the netouyo, who have pointed out that if people did not agree with Abe, then he would never have been elected. What they fail to highlight, however, is that Abe was largely elected on his promises to revive the Japanese economy.
Were Park’s comments really all that provocative? Or is this another example of the media trolling the right-wing?
From MSN Sankei:
“Return To The Right Path” South Korean President Urges Abe Administration To Change Its Stance
On January 27, South Korean President Park Geun Hye stated with historical issues with Japan in mind, that “I want the world of Japanese politics to return to the right path as soon as possible”, and asked that the Abe Shinzo administration change its stance. The Presidential Office revealed that the President said this when she was meeting with representatives of zainich Korean women.
Park has made the remarks using next year as an example, when it will be 50 years since the normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It appears that Park was hinting at her own opinion that by next year Japan should show some intention to improve relations by thinking of its own attitude.
At a meeting with the US Upper House on January 25, Park emphasised once more her firm position that as long as the Abe Administration does not change its ways, she would not respond to Abe’s calls for a leadership conference.
While being interview on January 27, Park also stated that “I think that the majority of Japanese people think very differently from a group of politicians”, and that her frustrations regarding the way Japan has dealt with historical issues are limited to a group of senior officials in the Abe administration, and not Japanese society as a whole.
Comments from 2ch.net:#
閃光妖術(埼玉県):
WTF?
ストレッチプラム(大阪府):
You what (´･ω｀･)ｴｯ?
膝十字固め(新疆ウイグル自治区):
（ ﾟдﾟ）dumbstruck
ラダームーンサルト(長野県):
Shut it you old hag.
ビッグブーツ(茨城県):
Thing is, that the people of Japan hate Korea way more than the politicians do.
メンマ(愛知県):
I don’t like Korea, but why the hell does she get to decide?
栓抜き攻撃(京都府):
It’s because the majority of Japanese people chose him that Abe’s LDP got elected.
You’re a nutjob, Park Geun Hye.
ニールキック(和歌山県):
Is this a story from a parallel world, I wonder?
ラダームーンサルト(千葉県):
Guess she became stupid after eating too much kimchi.
急所攻撃(dion軍):
What the hell is that old hag on about now, she’s been going around bad-mouthing Japan to the entire world w
Comments from Twitter:
超高校級に眠いノブ:
So someone who doesn’t understand how an election works is the President…..?
jp1999:
The one who needs to return to the right path is Korea, which fabricates history and illegally occupies Japanese territory, Japan has not done the slightest thing wrong.
海野邦昭:
The whole problem started when former president Lee Myung Bak set foot on Takeshima [Dokdo] and insulted the Emperor. It’s Korea that needs to return to the right path! Park Geun Hye, you’re the one who’s been using your tattle-tale diplomacy all over the world on the comfort women issue, when it’s already been settled, but you’re not keeping to treaties and settlements arranged between our two countries. You’ve got it wrong criticising Japan!
いちる:
WTF? What are you saying? Is this a message for the people of your own country? Shut your trap you menopausal old hag.
asa:
The majority of Japanese people (MAJOR LIE)
恵那一然:
:：You lot are the ones who need to come back to the right path. Are you stupid or what?
雷羽:
For Korea, the “right path” is the path that is most convenient for them”, right? It’s Korea that should be returning to the real right path.
愛から生まれた詐欺に勝った杜若シズ :
Wait, so Park doesn’t hate Japan after all??????????
さくら:
Say all that when you’ve stopped anti-Japanese education and stopped fabricating history.
And after you’ve returned Takeshima and that statue of Buddha that you stole.
hidetakejapan:
Another Kyodo News article, huh….
