Nikkei: "Korea's Indifference to Ukraine, Strange Human Rights Insensitivity... Overreacting Only to Japan"

"South Korea Cold to Foreign Invasions and Human Rights Violations Despite Experiencing the Korean War"

Ruling and opposition party lawmakers watching Zelensky's video speech Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] The Japanese right-wing Sankei Shimbun published a critical article on the 22nd, stating that "South Korea is showing insensitivity to human rights violations occurring in other countries."

On the 22nd, Sankei ran an article titled "South Korea's Indifference to Ukraine and a Bizarre Scene That Will Go Down in History," claiming that "while democratic countries worldwide are raising concerns and condemnation over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, South Korea's level of interest is notably low."

The outlet pointed out that although democratic countries around the world have expressed great concern and increased criticism regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, South Korean lawmakers and citizens show a lack of interest.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a virtual speech to the Japanese Parliament on the 23rd of last month. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (center) giving a standing ovation after President Zelensky's virtual speech.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

It also reported that although South Korea experienced damage during the Korean War, which began with North Korea's invasion, its response to invasions or human rights violations in other countries is sluggish and cold.

Since the Russian invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for support for his country and condemnation of Russia through video speeches to major countries' parliaments, starting with the European Union (EU). South Korea was the 24th country worldwide and the second in Asia, after Japan, to hold a parliamentary video speech.

However, out of 300 members of the National Assembly, only about 50 attended that day, and the reaction after the speech was lukewarm. This contrasted with lawmakers from other countries who gave vigorous standing ovations to encourage Ukraine. This scene was also broadcast worldwide through major foreign media.

Sankei criticized, "South Korea always shows fierce determination in struggles related to issues such as comfort women and forced labor against Japan, but shows no interest in tragedies or human rights violations occurring in countries unrelated to itself." Regarding this, it did not hesitate to use disparaging expressions, calling it a "distinctly Korean phenomenon commonly seen in South Korea."

Additionally, Sankei recalled that in September 2015, then-President Park Geun-hye was the only Western bloc leader to attend the 70th anniversary of the victory over Japan held in Beijing, China, and explained that President Park sat second to the right of Chinese President Xi Jinping, following Russian President Vladimir Putin, and observed the military parade held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.