The Effects of Japanese Colonialism to Korea - Term Paper Example

Colonialism i The Effects of Japanese Colonialism to Korea ENL213 12/04/06 Jin Hong Lim Colonialism ii Abstract Decades after the annexation of Korea by the Japanese, there are unresolved issues between the two countries regarding the legacies during the colonial period. In the general nationalistic outlook of many Koreans, the colonization of Japan yielded no positive contributions to their nation as a whole. This paper will discuss the reputation of colonialism in modern globalization, as well as demonstrate the positive effects of Japanese colonization, which was mixed blessing, that it gave motivation of economic boom in modern Korea by challenging negative reputation of 'colonialism'. Colonialism 1 Japanese Colonialism in Korea (Introduction) Korea is a country with a long history of foreign invasions. The most recent invasion of Korea was unwanted annexation of Korea to Japan in 1910. The Japanese were in control of Korea between 1910 and 1945, and during this time the Japanese colonization was so brutal that most of Korean thinks Japan as an eternal enemy who only gave negative effects to Korea. Most of Koreans have a tendency to think that Japan is always bad because there are unforgivable conducts in history. Koreans are objective on the theory that Japanese colonialism effected positively on Korea's modern development, furthermore, majority even argues that the effect of Japanese colonialism is just obstacle on Korea's growth; " The nationalist point of view, well represented in Korea, is that there's no such thing as a good colonial legacy, and therefore the contribution of Japanese imperialism to growth was really minus zero. There are anything good or useful deriving from imperialism as incidental to ruthless pursuit of Japanese interests" (Cumings, 1997, pp. 34). According to Cumings, he agrees that it is hard to argue that Japan developed Korea without placing Koreans' feelings against Japanese cruel colonialism, but it needs 'long-term view' (Cumings, 1997, pp.34). However, Koreans shouldn't deny the fact that Japanese colonialism introduced "modernization", and effectively brought Korea into the global economy. This can be a challenge to the reputation and the evaluation of colonialism in modern globalization that it effects just negatively. The annexation of Japan in Korea was cruel and hostile like others, but it is unique because it actually effected positively in Korea's modern globalization unlike others. 1. What is colonialism 2. How was Japanese colonialism system in Korea 3. What are some positive effects of Japanese colonialism in Korea Colonialism The definition of colonialism from dictionary is "The practice by which a powerful country directly controls less powerful countries and uses their resources to increase its own power and wealth" (http://eedic.naver.com). And colonialism was one of the systems in history of globalization. The history of globalization dates back to colonial and even ancient time periods; when strategic and monetary aims were first being seen from an intercontinental perspective and were usually achieved to increase the power and wealth of the state: "The essential feature of the new economic system was the monopolization of land. This by itself was sufficiently important to shape the social and political relationships of the colonial civilization, since in a predominately agricultural economy one's livelihood depends almost entirely upon access to land," (Griffin, pp. 79). In other words, relatively early in the history of civilization, more powerful groups saw it as advantageous to exploit the land and labor of their neighbors for their own betterment. Cecil Rhodes, in the 1890s, summarized the notion almost perfectly: "We must find new lands, from which we can easily obtain raw materials and at the same time exploit the cheap slave labor that is available from the natives of the colonies," (Globalization then and Now, 13). And the reputation and the evaluation of colonialism seem to be negative because there are many countries such as South Africa and Third world, etc, who had colonial period by powerful country, still suffering from poverty caused by colonialism. According to Griffin, colonial system made powerless countries poorer; "Yet this is the view that at present prevails. Nurkse's notion of the 'vicious circle of poverty'-the proposition that 'a country is poor because it is poor,'" (Griffin, pp. 72). Unlike others, Japanese colonialism was unique because it gave a chance for Korea to develop even though it was brutal like others. However, before discussing about this positive effect of Japanese colonialism, it is important to go over how it was to understand the Koreans' feelings why they are tend to be always negative against Japan Japanese Colonialism In Korea Colonial rule by the Japanese can be divided into three major stages, based on the governmental style used (Cumings, 2005, pp. 12). During the first stage, from 1910 to 1919, the Japanese Imperial government assigned a military general to manage Korean affairs because of stiff resistance; "The head of the military-style government reported directly to the emperor. During this time all types of political actions and print media were banned and many Japanese government officials and employees like teachers put on swords at all times. Numerous arrests of nationalists were made to firmly instill colonial rule" (Cumings, 2005, pp.12). When Koreans peacefully participated in what is now known as the March Independence Movement of 1919 to appeal for independence from Japan, the counteraction of the colonial government was ruthless, resulting in thousands of people killed, wounded and arrested (Cumings, 2005, pp. 13). The years 1920 to 1936 marked the second stage. After the March Independence Movement of 1919, the colonial government reacted to initiate a pacification approach towards the Koreans (Cumings, 2005, pp. 13); "The initialization of policies designed to appease the sentiments of the general public included the adoption of civil guards to replace military police, along with other various pledges: the employment of Korean nationals in the government, establishment of more educational institutions, assembly and journalistic rights" (Cumings, 2005, pp.13). Unfortunately, these policies only reinforced colonialism. During this time, Korea was a source of food and other goods for Japan (Cumings, 2005, pp. 13). The final stage of Japanese rule came in the years 1937 to 1945, the period where the colonizers attempted to expunge the identity of Koreans. Any form of Korean tradition, culture and religious practice were prohibited and Japanese language was enforced as the lingua franca. Furthermore, using Korean name was also prohibited. As a result, people who were born during this period still have Japanese names until now. During this stage, there was the Second World War and Korean were force to serve under the Imperial army and millions forced as workers for the Japanese war machinery. (Cumings, 2005, pp. 13-14). Many Koreas were injured and died during colonial period. Japan reacted more heartless to people who were crying out for independence. Finally, they even tried to make Korean to lose their identities. It is true that it was brutal and has left many negative effects to Korea. It is mixed blessing that Japanese colonialism affected somewhat positively. Positive Effect of Japanese Colonialism in Korea Korea is also the one of countries who had colonial period by Japan. As a result of it, most of Koreans think Japan as eternal enemy who gave only negative effects to them because Japanese colonialism was cruel. However, unlike other countries who had colonial period and who are underdeveloped, Korea is called 'the model of development'; "Japanese colonial influence on Korea, while ruthless and humiliating, was also decisive in shaping a political economy that later evolved into high growth Korea path to development. Korean state under the Japanese influence was transformed into an effective institution. Production-oriented alliances involving the state and entrepreneurs evolved, leading up to considerable economic growth including expansion of manufacturing" (Atul Kohli. P. 866). According to Kohli, Korea's effective labor-management system is also from colonial period. This supposition by Kohli is firmly grounded on facts. Shin and Hytrek (2002, pp. 462) provided a clear explanation for this. The colonization must have brought some positive effects because Japan, after all, was the first Asian country to be industrialized. This is due to its strong totalitarian government and of course to the effects, in turn, of its colonization to other Asian countries, including Korea. Under Japanese colonial rule, the monarchial government of the Yi dynasty was changed to a well-organized, authoritarian colonial state. The total output of Korea, using the 1935 prices as basis grew a steady 3.7% from the years 1911 to 1938 (Cha and Kim, 2006, pp. 3 & 9). This established Korea as Japan's most important colony and its industrialization was second to Japan (Cumings, 1997, pp. 37). Korea's monarchial government originated from the existing Meiji structure of Japan. Despite Japan's ruthless ruling and Korea's helpless resentment, the Japanese colonial government has changed the government structure, bringing on some dynamic changes between the government and the general public in the entire country. The old outmoded monarchic system that Korea has always known has been replaced by a totalitarian ruling, one of the significant effects that the colonization has done. (Shin and Hytrek, 2002, pp. 463). Changes that happened along with the autocratic governance are the following: law-enforcement and security groups, revamped civil service, improved land reform programs, better tax collection system and modern, efficient transport/ communication systems that were unseen during its pre-colonial period (Shin and Hytrek, 2002, pp. 463). In pages 463-464, Shin and Hytrek elaborated the changes Japan has imposed on Korea's old labor system. To restrict local movements, the Japanese government made use of all existing landlord arrangements. Everyone from the poor to the once powerful aristocrats are now beneath the directive of the colonial state, thus removing the traditional landlord-worker system as both are now dependent on the government, who in turn control the land holdings. Its control over the landlords also ensured that there will be no groups present to oppose the government. Therefore, this resulted to an advanced, centralized and practical government that exceeded public expectations. However, during the aftermath of the March Independence Movement of 1919, the Japanese authorities have seen the deficiencies in its style of government that was based on intimidation and control over the aristocrats and thus, proceeded to impose effective policies to promote reconciliation. Koreans were given liberties as long as it was not in conflict with state policies. This action pushed the peasantry sector to group, unionize and campaign against landlords that eventually led to agrarian reform. A notable land reform policy created during this period was the replacement of the landed class with village leaders. Protection of the peasants against the abuse of the aristocrats and the landlords and the protection of landlord interests were established with the passing of the Tenancy Arbitration Ordinance and Agricultural Lands Ordinance enacted in 1932 and 1934. (Shin and Hytrek, 2002, pp. 464). These protections ensured that industrialization will not be disrupted. With these reforms, the Japanese government started to displace the landholder-based colonial system to give way to a more accepted and more secure colonial governance. The post-colonial Korean government (Shin and Hytrek, 2002, pp 464) will later adapt this style in resolving conflict and controlling the public. The Japanese also promoted modernization in Korea which produced the industrial class. This has helped Korea changed some old nationalistic attitudes while maintaining cooperation among everybody. On a positive note, the modernization of Korea gave way to the middle class as a vital contributor in the industrialization process (Shin and Hytrek, 2002, pp 464-465). Japanese Colonizing of Korea: A Mixed Blessing Since the notion of colonialism is negative and it is true that Japan treated Koreans as slaves and it was cruel, many Koreans seem to have hostile criticism that Japanese colonialism never helped on the economic growth of Korea; "The growth record under the Japanese occupation was more modest than is often thought, there are greater discontinuities than continuities between the colonial and post war eras, and political independence was an important factor in subsequent growth" (Haggard, Kang, Moon. P.867). However, Koreans might not have to deny the fact that Japanese colonialism impacted somewhat positively by actually giving a chance of economic miracle in modern globalization; "Korea's postwar economic success, however, is a rather important case, no understanding of Korea's "economic miracle" will be complete without taking into account the contribution of a relatively unique colonial past" (Atul Kohli. P.886). Having anger against Japan and be of a mind to deny the fact as being a Korean writer who does know brutal history of Korea under the rule Japan, however, it is clear that Japan introduced "modernization", and effectively brought Korea into global economy. The positive effect of Japanese colonialism in Korea, which is giving great chance of economic growth, seems to be enough to impact the negative reputation or the evaluation of colonialism. Japanese colonialism in Korea was unique. Finally, whatever what happened in History, Korea is now one of the powerful countries in the world. Koreans should be more proud of themselves rather than blaming others who gave them a hard time in history. In other words, without Koreans' their own effort, the positive effects of Japanese colonialism would have not existed. They seized an opportunity even though it was from distress history, and that is regardful. References Cha, Myung Soo and Kim, Nak Nyeon. 2006. Korea's First Industrial Revolution, 1911-40. Working Paper Series. Naksungdae Institute of Economic Research: Seoul, S. Korea. Cumings, Bruce (2005). Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History. New York: W. W. Norton. Cumings, Bruce. 1997. Japanese Colonialism in Korea: A Comparative Perspective. Part of the Walter H. Shorenstein Distinguished Lecture Series. Asia/Pacific Research Center: Stanford University Globalization the and now. Ellwood, Ch.1, p.12-13 Griffin, Keith. (1969). "Underdevelopment in History" reprinted from Underdevelopment in Spanish America. Massachusetts : MIT Press. Haggard, Stephan, Kang, David and Moon, Chung-in. (1997). Japanese Colonialism and Korean Development: A Critique. World Development, Vol. 25, No. 6, pp. 867-881. Kohli, Atul. (1997). Japanese Colonialism and Korean Development: A Reply. World Development, Vol. 25, No. 6, pp. 883-888. Shin, Gi-Wook and Hytrek, Gary, 2002, Social Conflict and Regime Formation: A Comparative Study of South Korea and Costa Rica. International Sociology, Vol 17, No. 4, pp 459-480. London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi: Sage Publications Read More