Download Help from around the world has poured into Japan since the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 13th.
One of the first nations to send help was South Korea.
While the two countries are close in proximity, many say in terms of relations, they are very far apart.
That’s mainly due to historical animosities that many Koreans harbor regarding Japan’s early 20th century colonization of the peninsula.
But, now many South Koreans are putting those feelings aside and trying to help the Japanese victims.
From Seoul, Jason Strother has the story.
Two old women, wrapped in heavy winter coats, sit across the street from the Japanese Embassy.
Sentimental music blares out of the open door of a van parked nearby.
The two, both in the eighties, are former comfort women. They were forced into prostitution by the Japanese military during the Second World War.
But they’re not talking about the past. Instead, they’ve come to express their sympathy for Japan.
One of the women, Kil Won Ok says the disaster there has personally affected her.
“Even one loss of life in Japan, hurts my heart. It hurts so much to see that so many people died. We have to work together, as neighbors, to make things better.”
This was the 962nd protest held by the former comfort women and their supporters.
But instead of shouting at the Japanese Embassy as they normally do, this time, a ten minute long moment of silence was held for the earthquake and tsunami’s victims.
Yoon Mee Hyang represents the Korean Council for Women Drafted For Military Sexual Slavery by Japan.
“The pain caused by the disaster in Japan is similar to the pain caused to these Korean women in the past. So we decided to turn our protest this week into an expression of sorrow for the Japanese victims.”
South Korea is spending millions of dollars to help the natural disasters’ victims.
The government has already sent a team of rescue workers to northern Japan.
Private businesses and civic groups are also holding fund raisers and collecting emergency supplies to be sent to those in need.
The South Korean Red Cross is coordinating some of the relief effort. Kim Junja is director of international relations.
“I think this is the time regardless of nationality, race or relations, we have shown a tremendous sympathy for the country that is heavily affected by natural disaster or some type of catastrophe. I think as a human being it is our responsibility.”
Koh Jin Kwang agrees.
He helps run a private humanitarian organization in Seoul that recruits volunteers to go abroad to help out during times of need.
Korea’s historical problems with Japan seem to be the last thing on his mind.
“We do not care about the past. Japan is our neighbor, and when they hurt we have to help them. And by doing that we can improve our relationship and forget about the past.”
Yoon Mee Hyang of the comfort women support group also has hope that relations will improve between the two nations."
But, she says it could easily be lost once the humanitarian work is over.
“It could help improve relations, but Japan and Korea still need to resolve the historical issues. Because without that, any goodwill created now won’t last very long.”
Former comfort woman Lee Ok Seong seems willing to put the disputes of the past aside, for now.
But, she says, despite Japan’s dire situation, Korea shouldn’t let them completely off the hook.
“I believe that we should hate the crime, and not the person. But for now, this is a really big disaster in Japan and we have to work together. But, I still hope Japan will account for what they did to us.”
