is it the cultural difference?

With excitement, I stepped into the Boeing 777, flight to Guam.  Only 4 hours away from Seoul, Guam has been one of the most popular vacation destinations for Koreans for nearly 20 years. 

Even though I have lived in the states for all my life, I didn’t have much knowledge of Guam, a territory of US.  I mean, geography was never my best subject but still, I knew of Costa Rico, so what is up with Guam.  I have been representing Guam for several months now, and it was finally about time that I visit the island. Off the plane, a limo waited from Hyatt Regency Hotel.  The first thing I noticed other than the happy Chamorro people was the fact that many of the signs were in Japanese.  I figured because there have been a huge number of Japanese tourists, so Guam has grown into developed to cater to Japanese.  Then I was enlightened of the history of Guam and I think it is one of the most interesting places I have ever been to.  According to Felix, our Korea Marketing Officer in Guam, Guam was officially the territory of Guam and the Chamorros, Guam’s indigenous inhabitants populated the island from about 6,000 years ago.  Then was colonized by Spain in 1565 then after the Spanish-American War, the US took control of the island in 1898.  During WWII, in 1941 Guam was attacked and invaded by Japan.  During the Japanese occupation, the indeginious people of Guam were subjected to labor, incarceration, execution and prostitution.  According to reports, about a thousand Chamorros died during the Japanese occupation and later the US returned to win the Battle of Guam in 1944 and established Guam as an unincorporated organized territory of the US in 1950. (for more detailed information, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guam)

It seems as Guam has gone through a very similar history with Korea.  I immidiately saw similarities in how many nations attacked both countries and were occupied by Japan and had to encounter extreme brutality from the Japanese military.  However how the two nations react to such history are night and day. 

 What I have noticed is that there is a subtle anti-Japanese belief among Koreans where Guamarians welcome Japanese with open arms.  One of the most famous tourists attractions is the Shoichi Yokoi’s tunnel-like underground cave.  According to history, Shiochi Yokoi is the last WWII Japanese soldier.  According to reports, Yokoi went into hiding after the US took over Guam and then was discovered in 1972 in the jungles of Talofofo.  After his return to Japan, Yokoi became a celebrity and his cave became a famous tourist destination. 

This would never be possible in Korea.  The memory of the Japanese occupation being featured as a vacation destination?  I don’t think so.  There are still severe feelings between the Koreans and the Japanese. 

Even though the conflict betwen the Korean and Japanese, for the longest time.  But being in Guam has made me think about many things.  Below are some of Yul Kwon’s movement regaring the Resolution calling on Japan to apoligize. 

Is it just simply cultural difference?  Listening to the youtube short films, for some reason it makes me tear up.  I wonder if it is the Korean side of me, wanting an apology from the Japanese government.   Truly, this business trip to Guam has made me think of many different things about cultural difference and help me understand how my ancestors felt, just a little bit.

August 21, 2007. Mindset, Politics.