I Became Park Jeong-ui’s Nephew - Chapter 257



Only Krnovel

He became Park Jeong-ui’s nephew. – (257)

“I still remember it vividly. The whole school was in chaos when they heard the Emperor was coming. The teacher told the kids to bring the Japanese flag for the welcoming ceremony, but I went to school empty-handed that day. Why should we welcome a man who sent the Japanese to war and killed people? I always wondered about that. If he hadn’t allowed the attack on Pearl Harbor, this wouldn’t have happened.”

This is Japan,

A remark made by a writer sent shockwaves through Japanese society.

The author’s name is Kenichi Nakazawa, and he wrote a manga based on his experience of surviving the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The work became a huge hit, being translated into the United States, Korea, and even the Arab world.

The problem is that the topic has a huge impact on Japanese society.

There are still some Japanese people who believe that they are victims of the atomic bomb. What message is this cartoon trying to send to Japanese society?

Is Japan a victim of war? Then who are the perpetrators of Japan’s atrocities?

I have been so focused on my writing that I have not been able to express my political stance, but now that the series has ended, the words I have kept in my heart are pouring out like a flood.

The perpetrator who attacked Japan was none other than the Emperor.

If you think about it, if the Emperor, the head of state and commander-in-chief, had prevented the war, it wouldn’t have happened.

Why do we have to hold a welcoming ceremony and hold the Japanese flag for such a person?

Kenichi Nakazawa continued his sharp criticism, saying that it was the Emperor himself who made Japan a historical sinner and perpetrator.

In response, the ‘Emperor’s Responsibility Theory’ is bursting out from all over the place.

In the past, there were voices criticizing the imperial family in the literary world, but now the scope has expanded to include the political world.

“Do you think the Emperor is responsible for World War II?”

“I think so, of course.”

“But didn’t the Emperor say that he regretted what happened in the past?”

“If you regret something, you are admitting that you are responsible. If you are not responsible, then there is no need to say that you regret it, right?”

The statement came from the National Assembly, not anywhere else.

What will happen to the Japanese imperial family’s reputation? The Japanese imperial family expressed regret through the media, but this only served to add fuel to the public’s anger.

“I think I’ve lived long enough to hear this. If I had died early, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Wait a minute. Dying doesn’t mean your responsibility disappears, right?”

“Do you think that death can wash away all your sins?”

“If you regret living so long, why did you get treatment when you had cancer?”

Emperor Hirohito shook his fist at the public reaction.

It is true that even in Britain, the respect for the royal family has not been what it used to be, and it would be no different in Japan. Hirohito himself knew this, but he did not know that the people would react so openly.

I’d rather die than be treated like a criminal.

From that day on, he abstained from eating and drinking and gave up state affairs.

“Huh~ You’ve grown old and become a child.”

“You’re going on a hunger strike because you’ve been cursed at by the people?”

“Well, he’s someone who has ruled over others his entire life, so he can’t stand this kind of treatment.”

But Japan’s left-wing forces openly mocked the emperor.

You’re going on a hunger strike just because you got cursed at, do you think the people will cry and say, “Your Majesty, please eat some food?”

As public ridicule grew, Crown Prince Akihito stepped forward himself. Since his father was not working, wouldn’t the people be quiet if the Crown Prince took charge of the affairs of the country?

But Hirohito was also displeased with such a son.

“I never entrusted you with the affairs of state!! Why are you stepping forward?!!”

“Father, public opinion is currently ridiculing the Hwang family for what they are doing. Shouldn’t we show a resolute attitude at times like these?”

“It’s all useless!! Rather than living a long life and enduring such humiliation, I’d rather die!!”

“Father, calm down. If you say something like that, all the apologies you’ve made so far will become void.”

Crown Prince Akihito consoled his father.

Do you think the royal family will feel at ease every time Japan apologizes for its past history?

There are times when I think, ‘How long will this continue?’, but if I make a strange statement here, all the official apologies Japan has released so far will be wiped out.

Are you going to drag in the far right now because you don’t want to apologize anymore?

How much harm have those bastards done with the royal family on their backs?

Crown Prince Akihito grew up watching the process and had no intention of turning to the far right now. If Japan turned to the far right now, it would only be a laughing stock in the world, so he persuaded his father once more.

“Father, you can do as you normally would. You can just express your regret for the war. You’ve been doing it for decades. Why can’t you do it once more? Do your work as usual. I think the royal family will save face if you show a righteous attitude.”

“… Haa~ okay… I got excited for a moment.”

Emperor Hirohito accepted his son’s advice.

As before, he expressed regret for the war and sent a reply saying that the two countries should maintain a future-oriented relationship, including in Korea, while carrying out official duties.

Since Korea, which was under Japanese colonial rule, said such a thing, Japanese public opinion also has nothing to say.

The royal family regained peace, but the Emperor’s health deteriorated rapidly thereafter.

He had overcome terminal cancer, but this time, the doctor’s response was that it would be difficult, and the Japanese royal family also intuitively felt that it was time to say goodbye to the emperor.

The only ones who were present at his deathbed were the crown prince and a few members of the royal family.

As he neared death, Hirohito clung to his son.

“Son… I have one last question for you.”

“Your father.”

“Do you think I am responsible for the war? I would like to ask your opinion, not someone else’s.”

Crown Prince Akihito was speechless.

What’s the point of talking about responsibility in front of someone whose life is in danger?

Still, my father seemed to want to hear the words, ‘I am innocent,’ so after much thought, he opened his mouth.

“Father, I believe that it is the responsibility of the royal family to bear both the merits and demerits of the country. Japan started the war and made many mistakes in the process. Therefore, as a member of the royal family, I intend to shoulder that responsibility for the rest of my life.”

“I see… So you think I’m responsible in the end too… .”

“Father, it is not just you who must bear the responsibility. It is the responsibility of all the royal family. Now, we will shoulder the burden, so rest in peace. Please do not suffer any longer.”

Hirohito closed his eyes without saying a word.

Was he the mastermind behind World War II, or did he just shoulder all the blame because he survived so long?

Even the final period of death could not complete his life.

***

“Your Majesty, we have received a call from Japan.”

“Um… Did you go?”

“yes.”

This is the Daedeok County official residence.

I nodded at the news I heard from Japan.

With so many emotions swirling inside my mind, I now think about how much the Korean people suffered because of that man.

A childhood memory that is still vivid in my memory, the teacher told the children to bring the Japanese flag, saying that there was an event to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday.

A time when everyone lived with their eyes tightly shut, even though their insides were twisted.

A famous writer once said that he didn’t bring the Japanese flag to school, but I didn’t have the guts to do that.

My father was a pro-Japanese branch manager of the Dong-A Ilbo, and my uncle even pledged allegiance to the Emperor while serving in the Japanese Army. So, if I don’t take the Japanese flag, won’t my family suffer?

So I gritted my teeth and took the Japanese flag to school.

What right does someone like me have to wear the mask of a patriotic martyr?

It’s embarrassing to even talk about it. I’m not an anti-Japanese fighter who resisted the Japanese. I’m just a human being who ran around here and there looking for a way to live.

It is true that I absolutely obeyed the US military government in order to survive. I also know that I am a coward.

But now he is living shamelessly as a dictator who rules the world.

I don’t remember ever apologizing for the past.

No, there is no need for that. Japan lost the war, but I don’t remember ever losing a war that determined the fate of our country.

Did I express any regret about the massacre of 2 million people in Pyongyang?

All I did was massacre the Kim Il-sung family, who threatened South Korea’s sovereignty, and the Pyongyang aristocrats who lived a life of luxury while sucking the blood of North Korean citizens, so why am I apologizing?

Those who should have died have died,

The massacre that occurred in Urumqi and Shenyang was also suppressed by force.

Anyone who mentions this means they want to go to war with me. The Korean National Assembly has never made an official statement about the massacre committed by the Korean military.

Because it is an act of treason against the head of state.

Thanks to that, I can live with my head held high even after killing 8 million people. I will probably live shamelessly until I die, so I calmly forgave Japan’s past.

Emperor Akihito also responded by visiting the Koma Shrine.

Goma Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the descendants of King Bojang, the last king of Goguryeo, and his descendants still manage the shrine today.

It is true that many people moved from Korea to Japan, but it is rare for people to openly declare themselves as Goguryeo refugees like the Koma Shrine.

In that respect, Emperor Akihito’s visit to Koma Shrine is meaningful.

During the Japanese colonial period, it served as an advance base for the idea of ​​Naisen Ilche, which states that Korea and Japan share the same ancestors, but now it serves as a conduit for strengthening friendship between Korea and Japan.

Doesn’t the visit to this place indicate that the Imperial Family intends to maintain friendly relations with Korea in the future?

I also decided to visit the Koma Shrine on this occasion.

Japan is in an uproar over the visit of the Korean leader. Who is the one who gives Japan an indulgence every time it makes a statement reflecting on its past?

I am the one who supported Emperor Hirohito when he was battling cancer, so not only the common people of Japan but also the royal family have a favorable view of me.

The Taegeukgi and the Japanese flag are waving everywhere,

He shook hands informally with Emperor Akihito, who came out to greet him.

Now is the time to deliver a message to Japan, and I am here to fully raise the dignity of the Imperial Family.

“Emperor Akihito has been sincere about improving Japan-Korea relations since his days as Crown Prince, and has often said that he feels a deep sense of responsibility for the past.

I think that apologizing is something that only courageous and responsible people can do. Apologizing means admitting your mistake and taking responsibility for it. It is not something that just anyone can do.

In that sense, I think Emperor Akihito is virtuous and courageous. With such a person representing the country, Japan’s future will shine brightly like the spring when cherry blossoms fall.”

“Wow!!!!”

The Japanese people cheered loudly.

During the decades that Hirohito reigned as Emperor, the Japanese were burdened by a sense of responsibility that they were a war criminal nation.

But what about now?

A person who was somewhat free from such responsibility became the emperor, and since the Korean leader raised the status of the emperor, the Japanese also felt a burden lifted.

That sense of liberation burst out in a thunderous roar,

Emperor Akihito also applauded and wiped his eyes.