S.Korea - colonial history man touches a raw nerve

Insensitive discussion of Korea's colonial past has cost a South Korean academic his job. Some historical theories about the Japanese occupation are still politically charged today. It seems it's just not currently acceptable to suggest Japanese colonial rule had any benefits at all or that the case for compensation may be weak (the issue of the 'comfort women' forced into brothels by the Japanese). That's not to say that there's any merit in these arguments necessarily, but even to publicly adopt them is to end your career. The academic in question didn't deny the atrocities committed by the Japanese occurred (like say a David Irving type 'denier' would) but was saying it might have been worse, e.g. to be occupied by the Russians could have been more destructive. more from JoongAng Daily...