Le retour des Ilche Chanjae/Nittei zanshi (relief de l'impérialisme japonais) en Corée du sud : de l'historiographie nationaliste à l'histoire citoyenne

Abstract

Japan plays a difficult role in the contemporary historiography of South Korea commensurate with its historical responsibilities towards this nation. Accordingly, Korean nationalism has for a long time taught a writing of history that imposed a range of radical readings which pitted a guilty Japan against a victim, Korea. In this article, we examine a recent theme in South Korea historiography : reliefs of Japanese imperialism and the question of their elimination. Far from being a rehashing of old ideas, this theme instead demonstrates a noteworthy and unexpected revival. From the problem of collaboration to the material and institutional legacy, via social and cultural continuities, it assigns historiography the job of citizens, which is geared toward reunification. Displaying the reliefs of Japanese imperialism is to therefore dismantle the fundamental myths of South Korea and to ask South Koreans themselves to reflect upon their society — even its darker aspects — for its betterment. The fact that history is even written about outside the community of historians illustrates the democratic zeal of the debates. While progress is still unclear, we might wonder if Japanese and American societies, both deeply involved in these questions, are as equally active in this field.