하기의 번역문은 지만원 박사님의 최근 글 #453 '미국과 일본의 차이'를 주축으로 요약 번역한 내용입니다.

Big Difference

When a ROK Navy ship"Cheonan" was sunk by a mysterious explosion and more than 46 sailors and 9 civilian rescue workers were lost at sea, our entire nation mourned together after the tragic loss of the sacred lives.

As soon as news of the sinking reached Washington, D.C., US President Barack Obama expressed his immediate and deepest condolences over the loss of the ROK naval personnel and offered immediate assistance. In turn, President Lee Myung-bak accepted Obama's helping hand and expression of sadness in the nation's loss. Also, what was more, the US troops stationing in Korea offered a "Day of Remembrance (April 9, 2010)" to salute those lost at sea and to reinforce America's long-standing committment to Korea.

"We are going together with Koreans as a strategic partner, a neighborhood and a friend," said M/G Michael S. Tucker, commander of the US 2nd Infantry Division. "We have long observed the great challenge of the Koreans who have always stood firm getting over countless difficult situations."

Following the show of support from our long-time ally the United States, other countries like the United Kingdom, France, Australia and Sweden have also offered the same.

Those are friends, lighting a candle, at a time of our great sadness, a dark page in the proud history of our nation. But there were other reactions that reflected an absence of human feeling, of having the grace of being members of the human family who come together in times of peril and need.

Instead of placing aside political differences, our neighbor Japan pretended by its silence to curse our darkness.In regards to the sinking of the ROK naval vessel, Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama took no position, made no address, offered no kind remarks to the families of the lost sailors. Instead, he just repeated tired, old, political statements about territorial views of him and his government.

We welcome the friendship and support of our US allies and others. They unhesitatingly stretched out their hands for support, now and down the road when various experts can help us better investigate the many unanswered questions surrounded the sinking of the "Cheonan." For us, they lit one candle. And our neighbor, Japan, did absolutely nothing. By their absence of action, many asked if that was behavior of a caring nation. I think we all know the answer.