[Editorial] Who is Pro-Japanese?

`Meeting of members who build up national spirit (MWBNS) ` (chairman, Kim Hee Sun, member of NMDP), which is voluntary organization of some progressive members, listed some people who Independence association (chairman, Yun Gyeong Bin) didn`t include in the list of `anti nationalist-pro-Japanese`, therefore causing criticism.

No one would reject embodying national spirit by cleaning off pro-Japanese image made during 35 years of Japan`s imperialism.

However, such a work should be done on the basis of people`s agreement at least.

It is not the matter that some members of National Assembly gathered up and declared hurriedly despite clear opposition opinion.

We can`t understand at all why `MWBNS` presented list hurriedly without sufficient discussion with academic or related people and why people who independence Association didn`t include were regulated as `anti-nationalist- pro- Japanese`.

Among those who joined MWBNS, some members or experts have different opinion on the reports of MWBNS.

Whoever was living under violent politics of forced Japanese occupation for 35 years might have had vicissitudes.

They had to work in bureaucracy of Japan`s imperialism for the sake of life and had to give cheers like `long live the king` after being shoved into war.

Quite many people sweared faithfulness on Japan`s militarism even among current leadership some of them changed their family names when Japan was undertaking a last ditch fight and then disappeared.

Therefore, if they really want to argue the behavior regarding anti-nationalism-pro-Japan, to measure the achievement and excess is much more important than other things.

Special Committee against anti-nationalism (SCAA) that participated in independence movement has the core members and had reported once list of `anti-nationalist-pro-Japan` according to their principles in 1948, 49.

As they were personnels who fought for independence at the same time, therefore they have the right perception on pro-Japanese.

Independence association made name list following SCAA standards as they judged that people who fought for independence would be correct.

Nevertheless, members of MWBNS, who belongs to young generation, declared some people who are not even included in the list of SCAA, ignoring the opinion of Independence association, as `anti-nationalist-pro-Japan`.

Even if `MWBNS` decided the 3.1 day for opportunity, it caused doubt that there must be a secret intention as it reported one-sidedly in hurry.

If it is the job for rebuilding the national spirit really, there should be a wide convergence of opinion and investigation.

If some members are chosen `anti-nationalist-pro-Japanese` by them following their prejudice or emotional judgment, it can also distort the history, too.