Legacies of Japanese colonialism in the rhetorical constitution of South Korean national identity

South Korean national identity remains deeply influenced by memories of Japanese colonialism, fostering a sustained antagonism towards Japan. This study applies Charland's theory of constitutive rhetoric and reinterprets Billig's banal nationalism to analyze discourses in presidential speeches on Liberation Day and exhibits at Independence Hall. Findings reveal that these narratives perpetuate a national identity inextricably linked to the 'Japanese Other,' demonstrating how historical grievances continue to shape contemporary political rhetoric.

Lee, J. W. (2013). Legacies of Japanese colonialism in the rhetorical constitution of South Korean national identity. National Identities, 16(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/14608944.2013.843516