Singer keeps Dokdo debate separate from Japan quake

As March 11's catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan grabbed headlines all over the world, curiosity has risen as to what Korea's high-profile nationalists have to say about the incident.

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Singer Kim Jang-hoon, who has worked to publicize the disputed Dokdo islets as Korean territory, has found himself at the center of attention, since many had assumed he would not exactly be sad about Japan's recent misfortunes.

However, he stated on his Cyworld page, "Even though I love Dokdo and assert our right to nearby waters, I don't hate Japan nor the Japanese people". He added that everyone should pray for those who died.

The JoongAng Ilbo talked to Kim about how he is keeping his views on crisis-hit Japan entirely separate from his role as a crusader for Dokdo.

Q. What is Japan to you?

A. I have worked for a long time to protect Dokdo and the waters near the island. However, even though I'm often at odds with Japan, I don't hate the country. To me, Japan is a country Korea needs to cooperate with. Japan recently dropped to the thirdlargest economy in the world due to the rise of China. The Korean economy is also threatened by the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), and even African countries are growing fast.

So I think Korea and Japan need to collaborate on boosting competitiveness. But Dokdo is a big obstacle.

So are you saying you don't hate the Japanese?

I think human beings should not hate each other. So many innocent people have died from this natural disaster. Schadenfreude is wrong. It is not right to take pleasure in other people's misfortunes.

If Dokdo is an obstacle that hinders Korea-Japan relations, what can we do to overcome it?

I'm not saying that we need to give up on Dokdo here. Dokdo is historically and legally Korean territory. If Japan admits as much, it would go a long way to easing tension between the two countries.

Singer Kim Jang-hoon holds a concert on Dokdo on March 1 to raise international awareness of the territorial dispute that has long divided Korea and Japan. Yonhap

Many Koreans have spoken up since the disaster to promote peace on earth.

Setting aside such a lofty term for a moment, I think everyone has that mentality.We have to rid ourselves of our hatred of Japanese. Moreover, this kind of incident is not just local. Earthquakes are more frequent worldwide, and Korea is now no longer safe from earthquakes. It's not just something that doesn't concern Koreans.

You are widely known for philanthropy efforts. Isn't Japan in desperate need of relief aid?

I think this time, for me at least, monetary support is not the right move. There are already many others who are going that route.

Also, I believe Japan has the financial capability to rebuild and support its people on its own. I think what they need now more is positive reinforcement. That's what I want to provide them.

Do you have any specific plans?

Governments have started to help, but soon private organizations will go to damaged regions and help out. I want to go with college students at that point. At either the end of this or next month, it will be stated in Japanese middle school textbooks that Dokdo is a territory of Japan. However, that's not going to stop me from helping the Japanese. Also, even though this natural disaster occurred, I won't stop promoting that Dokdo is ours. I might even do it more passionately.

Have you have changed your strategy in promoting Dokdo?

At first I tried to let people know that the island is Korean territory. Now I approach it from more of a tourism point of view. I promote, for example, Korea for its beautiful islands, which give people 3,800 reasons to visit this beautiful country. And I actually pay a lot of attention to scholars who study the issue. I do my best to spread their research - if they come up with a newly found ancient map that clearly states that Dokdo is Korean territory, or a Japanese map clearly shows it's not theirs.

On March 1, you held a concert on Dokdo. It must not have been easy to hold a concert there.

It was a lot of work. I think if I didn't have as much passion as I have, I would not have been able to hold the concert successfully. I felt like Dokdo was trying to talk to me. There was an unexplainable force there. I realized that I must redouble my efforts on the Dokdo dispute.

Over the past 12 years, you have donated around 8 billion won ($7 million). You gave 1 billion won to Taean, South Chungcheong, relief work after there was an oil spill in 2007. Don't you think it was too much?

I guess (philanthropy) in my genes. Since I was young, whenever I have seen someone in need, I always wanted to help them out.

Do you donate because you have money, or do you make money to donate?

Look at what I'm wearing right now. It's from a high-profile designer and was quite expensive. I mean, I spend money on me as well. I also support my family and staff. I paid 8 million won one day to buy food after a concert for his staff.

To donate is to share. When I had no money, others bought me food. Giving money is one of the easiest ways to make a donation. What I do - donating money - is not as noble as people who donate their time and effort. I bow to them very politely whenever I see them.

The fight will go on

On the morning this interview was to be printed in the Korean edition, Kim announced on his Cyworld page that he had decided what to do about helping the Japanese.

"I took several days to think about what I'm supposed to do.

Although there is an urge inside me to do something, I came to the conclusion that I will not do anything this time around", Kim posted. He again mentioned that Korea and Japan are close to an era when the two countries can set aside their historical conflicts.

But, as he told the JoongAng Ilbo, he reiterated, "Just as we don't need to take the Dokdo dispute into consideration when deciding on whether or not to help out the Japanese who have lost their homes, I'll continue work on the Dokdo dispute".

As optimistic as he said he was on a new era of friendship, Kim is concerned that Japan will continue to provoke him into taking action to defend Dokdo.

"I hope Japan does not stab the Korean people in their backs by bringing up the Dokdo issue in their textbooks for middle school students later this month or early next month", Kim wrote.

He ended his post saying he hopes the country is able to rebuild its damaged regions soon and stand strong again. To see his postings, go to www.cyworld.com/gyhoon77.

By Kim Joon-sool, Lee Sun-min