Vulnerability and Resistance to Accept the Expressions of Remorse and Apology in the 20th Century in the Difficult Process of Reconciliation between Japan and South Korea

During the 20th century, Japanese politicians made several attempts to apologize to Koreans for incorporating their territory into Japan, as well as for occupational policies. However, these became insufficient. Stemming from American pressure put onto both nations to reconcile, through few political statements, contemporary Korea and Japan still struggle over their history. This paper aims at analyzing why the expressions of remorse made by the Japanese in the 20th century were insufficient for the Korean side.