Published on August 7, 2019.
This is a republication of a chapter originally posted on January 13, 2019.
Introducing an article from Sankei Sho, it examines the Korean expression “jeokbanhajang,” equivalent to “the brazen thief,” and criticizes South Korea’s attitude toward the so-called wartime laborer issue and the fire-control radar irradiation of a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft.
It discusses President Moon Jae-in’s press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide’s rebuttal, Nietzsche’s words, and former President Lee Myung-bak’s landing on Takeshima, arguing that South Korean diplomacy habitually casts itself in the role of victim.

August 7, 2019.
“There are people who, after losing their temper and insulting others, demand that others not take it badly.”
Generally speaking, they are the type one would not want as friends or neighbors.
When I looked it up, I found that “jeokbanhajang” corresponds to this.
It describes the sight of a thief flying into a rage and, perversely, raising a whip.
This is a chapter that I posted on January 13, 2019, under that title.
The following is from yesterday’s Sankei Sho.
It is an essay by a journalist, written superbly within a limited space.
I suddenly wondered whether there is a phrase in South Korea equivalent to “a brazen thief.”
When I looked it up, I found that “jeokbanhajang” corresponds to this.
It describes the sight of a thief flying into a rage and, perversely, raising a whip.
I was reminded of it when I saw President Moon Jae-in criticize Japan over the so-called wartime laborer issue at his press conference on the 10th.
“It is an attempt to shift responsibility on the South Korean side onto the Japanese side.”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide strongly rebutted Mr. Moon’s remarks at a press conference on the 11th.
That is only natural, because Mr. Moon, while having caused the problem himself, declared the Japanese government’s反発 to be “unwise” and demanded that Japan “be humble.”
The philosopher Nietzsche pointed out the following.
“There are people who, after losing their temper and insulting others, demand that others not take it badly.”
Generally speaking, they are the type one would not want as friends or neighbors.
In the matter of fire-control radar irradiation against a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft as well, South Korea would not admit fault, and instead demanded an apology from Japan.
In the South Korean media, a conspicuous line of argument is that Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, whose approval rating is falling, is stirring this up for domestic public opinion.
At any rate, they probably cannot be satisfied unless they place themselves in the position of victim.
In August 2012, during the Democratic Party administration, then South Korean President Lee Myung-bak landed on Takeshima, in Okinoshima Town, Shimane Prefecture, ignoring the Japanese government’s attempt to stop him.
And a few days later, I cannot forget that he declared the following.
“Japan’s influence in the international community is not what it used to be.”
Perhaps that was his true feeling: unlike the time when Japan was attracting the world’s attention with its remarkable economic development, there was no need to be considerate toward a declining Japan.
Weak toward the strong, and thoroughly strong toward the weak.
When dealing with such a country, Japan has no choice but to display its strength and, at the same time, become even stronger.