Yonsama Tempers Patriotism with Reason
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Yonsama Fever Rages On Amid Korea-Japan Chill
Korean star Bae Yong-joon, or Yonsama to his many Japanese fans, has belatedly responded to a patriotic campaign asserting Korean sovereignty over the Dokdo Islets coveted by Japan. He had earlier dodged questions about the controversial rocks in the East Sea during an interview on location of the film "Going Out" in Samchok, Gangwon Province.
"Since I was asked the questions about Dokdo, I have thought about the issue. Dokdo is Korean territory, and therefore Korean people should take a more rational approach to the issue", Bae said in a post on his official homepage Monday.
"We need to calmly think about how our current responses will help solve the issue. I hope the two countries' policy makers will wisely resolve the issue as soon as possible. I genuinely hope both the Korean and Japanese people will not become involved in emotional conflict that puts the relations between them in jeopardy", Bae added.
In the Samchok interview, Bae said he was concerned about the issue as a Korean but would take another chance to speak out about it. After the interview, some Internet patriots attacked Bae for not making it clear that Dokdo belongs to Korea.
About 2,000 Japanese women visited Samchok to see Bae Yong-joon in February.
Korean star Bae Yong-joon, or Yonsama to his many Japanese fans, has belatedly responded to a patriotic campaign asserting Korean sovereignty over the Dokdo Islets coveted by Japan. He had earlier dodged questions about the controversial rocks in the East Sea during an interview on location of the film "Going Out" in Samchok, Gangwon Province.
"Since I was asked the questions about Dokdo, I have thought about the issue. Dokdo is Korean territory, and therefore Korean people should take a more rational approach to the issue", Bae said in a post on his official homepage Monday.
"We need to calmly think about how our current responses will help solve the issue. I hope the two countries' policy makers will wisely resolve the issue as soon as possible. I genuinely hope both the Korean and Japanese people will not become involved in emotional conflict that puts the relations between them in jeopardy", Bae added.
In the Samchok interview, Bae said he was concerned about the issue as a Korean but would take another chance to speak out about it. After the interview, some Internet patriots attacked Bae for not making it clear that Dokdo belongs to Korea.
About 2,000 Japanese women visited Samchok to see Bae Yong-joon in February.
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