An `all-out war` against Japan over textbooks

A set of strong protest measures against Japanese history textbooks announced by the government Thursday signaled Seoul`s ``all-out war`` against Japan. The South Korean government turned away from its original strategy to deal with the textbook issue separately from other agenda items, and instead it began to lean toward a toughened line in favor of using all diplomatic cards to pressure Japan.

A government official said the textbook issue is like a chronic backache that recurs time and again, so all cures need to be used to treat it once for all.

``As our aim is to correct the distorted content of the textbooks, we should not turn those sensible and knowledgeable figures in Japan into our enemies,`` he said, suggesting the chief target of the Korean counterattack is ultra-nationalist groups bent on whitewashing Japan`s history.

Background of the `all-out war`:

President Kim Dae-Jung`s expression of regret over the textbooks before a visiting Japanese mission of leading industrialists Wednesday seems to have added fuel to the fire of anti-Japanese sentiments. Officials attending the first meeting of an interdepartmental task force to discuss the issue Thursday appeared to be blaming themselves for their lukewarm reaction and were roused by Kim`s personal expression of concern for the issue.

They seem to have concluded that mounting public opinion critical of the passive stance of the government has to be heeded. Government leaders had refrained from taking a hard-line stance on the ground of its limited effectiveness, creating an impression that the government reacted in a rather half-hearted way. ``For symbolic purposes, a number of cards would have to be played in future,`` officials said.

What cards?

In case Japan rejects or responds insincerely to Korea`s demand for a review of the textbooks, the Seoul government plans to escalate its offensive. Demand for additional revision would be made along with a drive against the use of the disputed textbooks at Japanese schools; on the international stage a campaign could be mounted to expose the cover-up attempts by Japan and thus disgrace Tokyo, according to officials.

They argue that a nation that distorts its history is not entitled to international leadership, raising their voices against Japan`s prestige and integrity in global affairs. Toward that end, the Seoul government indicated its willingness to work with North Korea and China. It might be aware of, and even risk, negative consequence of antagonizing Japan as a price for resolving the textbook issue fundamentally -- probably the last card available to Seoul.

However, it is doubtful to what extent this all-out assault on Japan could affect Japan`s stature and power in the world community. It is the largest provider of foreign aid and commands respectable influence in the United Nations. All things considered, the Seoul government faces the troubling prospects of such an all-out campaign proving of little avail.

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Boo Hyung-Kwon bookum90@donga.com