Identities Surrounding a Cenotaph for Korean Atomic Bomb Victims

A study of the Cenotaph for Korean Atomic Bomb Victims in Hiroshima reveals that the debate over its relocation within the Peace Memorial Park during the 1990s was rooted in complex, multifaceted identities among Japanese-resident Koreans (zainichi Koreans). The research demonstrates that while collective identities tied to pro-South Korean Mindan and pro-North Korean Sōren organizations influenced social identity, personal experiences often transcended these divisions, contributing to internal dissonance within Mindan and rivalry between the two groups. This dynamic led to a deadlock in negotiations, highlighting how individual and group identities shape historical and political disputes. The analysis underscores the nuanced interplay between social and personal identity in contexts of conflict and unity.

Takahashi, Y. (2018). Identities Surrounding a Cenotaph for Korean Atomic Bomb Victims. Korean Studies, 42(1), 64–90. https://doi.org/10.1353/ks.2018.0003