Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations Graduate Program in International Studies Summer 2017 The Memorialization of Historical Memories in East Asia Bo Ram Yi Old Dominion University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/gpis_etds Part of the Asian Studies Commons, and the International Relations Commons Recommended Citation Yi, Bo R.. "The Memorialization of Historical Memories in East Asia" (2017). Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dissertation, International Studies, Old Dominion University, DOI: 10.25777/9r9f-7a81 https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/gpis_etds/17 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Program in International Studies at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE MEMORIALIZATION OF HISTORICAL MEMORIES IN EAST ASIA by Bo Ram Yi B.A. May 2009, James Madison University MPA August 2011, Old Dominion University A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY INTERNATIONAL STUDIES OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY August 2017 Approved by: Regina Karp (Director) David Earnest (Member) Peter Schulman (Member) ABSTRACT THE MEMORIALIZATION OF HISTORICAL MEMORIES IN EAST ASIA Bo Ram Yi Old Dominion University, 2017 Director: Dr. Regina Karp East Asia is embroiled in one of the most titillating historical memory wars in present- day politics. A highly complex and intricate matter, conflict over history is the underpinning strain behind political and social relations between China, South Korea and Japan. Mired by the past, tension often rises from conflict over the Yasakuni Shrine visits, comfort women and the textbook matter. This dissertation will examine how China, South Korea and Japan maintain their historical memory narratives. Through a case study method, each state is analyzed through five factors: commemoration, rhetoric, education, compensation and punishment. Overall, China and South Korea have maintained relatively stable historical memory narratives while Japan has exhibited a rather volatile one. Further, historical memory is significant to political leaders and will likely be part of trilateral relations for the foreseeable future. In spite of it all, minor advancements have been made in the overall historical memory war. iii Copyright, 2017, by Bo Ram Yi, All Rights Reserved. iv In memory of Harmonee, who always espoused the importance of education. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation would not have been possible without the support of numerous individuals. Deep gratitude goes to Dr. Regina Karp, for serving as my dissertation chair and for always providing support, mentorship and encouragement all these years. Thank you to my committee members Dr. David Earnest and Dr. Peter Schulman for your time and indelible feedback. To the Graduate Program in International Studies faculty, thank you for all of your support throughout the program. Thank you to Mom, Dad, Sunny and the Richardson family for always being there for me. I could not have done it without you. President and First Lady Broderick, my Womens Initiative Network mentor Pam Kirk, Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, Katie Crawford, Cathryn Janka, Jamila Glover, Dr. Shelley Mishoe, Dr. Jennifer Fish, Nikki Nieves and so many others, thank you for encouraging me throughout the process. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................1 EAST ASIA ............................................................................................................................2 HISTORICAL MEMORY DEBATE .....................................................................................4 RESEARCH QUESTION & METHODOLOGY ..................................................................8 EXPLORATORY QUESTIONS ............................................................................................9 SIGNIFICANCE ...................................................................................................................10 SETUP OF DISSERTATION...............................................................................................11 CONCLUSION .....................................................................................................................12 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ..........................................................................................................13 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................13 COLLECTIVE MEMORY ...................................................................................................14 HISTORICAL MEMORY ....................................................................................................17 POLITICS OF MEMORY OR MEMORY POLITICS ........................................................20 EAST ASIA’S MEMORY PROBLEM ................................................................................23 MAINTAINING THE NARRATIVE ..................................................................................24 GAP IN THE LITERATURE ...............................................................................................27 III. CHINA .....................................................................................................................................29 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................29 REMEMBERING HISTORY ...............................................................................................30 SINO-JAPANESE RELATIONS .........................................................................................32 CHINA’S POLITICAL RHETORIC ....................................................................................35 THE JINTAO ERA ...............................................................................................................35 XI JINPING ..........................................................................................................................39 PATRIOTISM.......................................................................................................................40 NEVER FORGET .................................................................................................................42 SOUTH KOREA ..................................................................................................................45 COMMEMORATION ..........................................................................................................46 MUSEUMS ...........................................................................................................................47 HOLIDAYS ..........................................................................................................................48 MONUMENTS .....................................................................................................................49 CEREMONIES .....................................................................................................................51 CHINA’S PATRIOTIC EDUCATION ................................................................................51 THE TEXTBOOK CONTROVERSY ..................................................................................55 COMPENSATION ...............................................................................................................56 PUNISHMENT .....................................................................................................................58 INFORMATION CONTROL ...............................................................................................61 CONCLUSION .....................................................................................................................61 vii Chapter Page IV. SOUTH KOREA .....................................................................................................................62 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................62 REMEMBERING HISTORY ...............................................................................................63 SOUTH KOREA-JAPANESE RELATIONS ......................................................................65 POLITICAL RHETORIC .....................................................................................................67 LEE MYUNG BAK ..............................................................................................................68 PARK GEUN-HYE ..............................................................................................................69 COMMEMORATION ..........................................................................................................75 MUSEUMS ...........................................................................................................................76 HOLIDAYS ..........................................................................................................................79 MONUMENTS .....................................................................................................................80