Even anti-Japan groups join the aid bandwagon

Korean JoongAng Ilbo
March 15, 2011

Korean rescue crews, relief workers and aid organizations are flying to Japan to help in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, while donations are pouring in and an extraordinary amount of condolences are being offered to Korea’s former colonizer.

“Making statements such as ‘Shame on Japan!’ or ‘Japan deserves such an ordeal’ is wrong” said Seo Gyeong-deok, a visiting professor at Sungshin Women’s University, in an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo yesterday.

Seo has organized numerous anti-Japan campaigns on the Dokdo islets and compensation for “comfort women,” or Korean sex slaves during World War II. Putting all that history aside, Seo said: “Now is the time to show the Korean people’s humanity.”

The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan officially expressed condolences to the devastated neighbor, despite its deep-rooted resentment of Japan.

The group issued a statement Sunday that said, “We are one creation under one heaven. Everyone is precious ... We express sympathy towards Japanese victims who are suffering from the massive earthquake.”

Another civic group called Hwalbindan, which has led an anti-Japanese movement over the Dokdo islets, said Koreans should transcend attitudes of being pro- or anti-Japanese and help the neighboring country.

Hallyu, or Korean Wave, stars are donating large sums of money to Japan and expressing condolences on their Internet home pages.

“Famous celebrities including Lee Byung-hun, Bae Yong-joon and Ryu Shi-won are offering donations to Japan along with six private organizations in Korea,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said yesterday through its official Twitter Page.

Actor and singer Kim Hyun-joong, who is a popular star in Japan thanks to the hit drama “Boys Over Flowers,” has also decided to donate 100 million won ($88,649). He said he would like to be of help “even if it’s only in a small way.”

The JoongAng Ilbo announced yesterday that it will hold a fund-raising event in collaboration with the Korean Red Cross. Other newspaper companies including Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo have opened up bank accounts that readers can contribute to.

In the meantime, international relief organizations have been sending teams to Japan since Saturday, a day after the massive quake, to assist while asking for support from the public.

World Vision started fund-raising Sunday and is aiming to collect $400,000 internationally. World Vision Korea is supposed to collect 25 percent of the total amount.

The Community Chest of Korea said it will donate 561 million won ($500,000). The Salvation Army in Korea has revived its Red Kettle fund-raising event, which is usually held at Christmas-time, for two days from Friday in 20 locations around the country.

Gwangju, which has a sister-city relationship with Sendai, one of the worst hit areas in Japan, has decided to send rescue teams and emergency aid kits to the city.

The country’s largest portal site Naver started collecting money online on Saturday and reached its target of 5 million won in two days.

Another portal site, Daum’s Agora blog, has collected 64 percent of its goal since Saturday.


By Yim Seung-hye [enational@joongang.co.kr]