April 24 Appearance on Kim Eo-jun News Factory
"Japan's insistence on 'Sea of Japan' has an intention"
Japanese media outraged as Dokdo shrimp served at Blue House banquet
Former Blue House Protocol Secretary Tak Hyun-min commented on the East Sea being labeled as the 'Sea of Japan' during the South Korea-U.S.-Japan missile defense exercise, saying, "Japan is very skilled in symbolic battles," and added, "A song Japan once suggested to use turned out to be in the style of the Kimigayo anthem."
On the 24th, Tak appeared on the YouTube show 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory' and claimed that setting the exercise date as 'Takeshima Day' (February 22) had a specific intention. He said, "Training near Dokdo might have military reasons, so I'll leave that aside," but added, "However, choosing Takeshima Day and insisting on the previously debated Sea of Japan label clearly has an intention. It's a symbolic battle."
He further evaluated Japan as being extremely adept at so-called 'symbolic battles' in diplomatic affairs. He said, "When relations soured over materials and components trade with Japan, they announced an official meeting but released photos of the meeting held in a shabby warehouse. They deliberately staged a scene of being looked down upon."
He continued, "At an event before, Japan kept suggesting using a certain song, and at first, I wondered why they wanted to use that music in that setting," adding, "I thought it might be okay, so I agreed, but then I got a chill down my spine and looked up the song?it was in the style of the Kimigayo anthem. They were trying to provoke us a bit." He explained that Japan tends to embed certain symbols without the other side noticing.
When host Kim Eo-jun asked, "Wouldn't it be enough to ask to change the exercise date or at least use a map showing both the East Sea and the Sea of Japan, and if that opinion isn't accepted, then refuse to participate?" Tak also agreed. He said, "That's right. Or send out the Dokdo ship. I don't understand why we keep losing in symbolic battles."
Tak gave examples of Dokdo shrimp and the Sujagi flag of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, saying, "Diplomacy means the two countries can't actually go to war. Then, in diplomatic battles, it should be symbol versus symbol, message versus message."
Dokdo shrimp gained attention when it was served at a dinner hosted by the Blue House during former U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea in 2017. Conservative right-wing Japanese media such as the Sankei Shimbun criticized it as an 'anti-Japan menu.'
The Sujagi is a flag used by the Joseon Dynasty's Samdo Sugun Tongjesa (Commander of the Three Provinces Naval Forces) and symbolizes Admiral Yi Sun-sin. In 2018, South Korea requested Japan to refrain from flying the Rising Sun flag at the International Fleet Review, but Japan refused. In response, the South Korean Navy flew the Sujagi on the Ilchulbong ship carrying President Moon Jae-in, and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a protest.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
