Japan will undoubtedly refuse to acknowledge any wrongdoing, regardless of the circumstances.
Even if they realize their own mistakes and all the evidence points to them, they will likely still deny it.
After all, it is customary to cover up unpleasant odors with a lid.
Japan has spent a long time ignoring and turning a blind eye to anything unfavorable to them, and it is expected that they will continue to do so.
Thus, the best thing Korea can do is to find indisputable evidence that Japan cannot ignore. Then, instead of confrontationally thrusting that evidence before their eyes, Korea may either publicize it globally through forceful proclamations to tarnish Japan’s reputation, or otherwise use the evidence as leverage to negotiate with Japan.
For this reason, the most promising opportunity for Korea would be if the incidents were caused by divine objects.
“Since it’s related to the Japanese occupation era, they will try with all their might to retrieve it…”
“Letting others know isn’t very advantageous either. A considerable portion of the population, having been subjected to Japan’s cultural assimilation policies during the empire era, may not even realize what they did back then.”
“Honestly, it’s quite astonishing. This diplomat doesn’t even know his own country’s history. I heard he graduated from the history department, but apparently, they didn’t teach proper history there. How unfortunate…”
“Well, such people make negotiations easier, don’t they?”
“They would, wouldn’t they? When foreigners, especially those Europeans that they admire so much, criticize content contradictory to what Japan teaches its own people, the Japanese will feel extremely embarrassed.”
After advocating for their ‘departure from Asia and entry into Europe’ policy, Japan longed for Europe and looked down on Asia.
This sentiment grew stronger especially through campaigns like the Korea Expedition Theory, the annexation of Joseon, the colonial policy eliminating Joseon’s nationality, and the policy of assimilation.
After defeating China, this mentality reached its peak; they believed they were a great empire comparable to the European powers when they defeated Russia and became allies with Germany.
Even after several decades have passed since that era, this mentality still persists. The Japanese consider themselves closer to Europe even though they are classified as part of Asia, and they frequently show disdain towards other Asian countries.
Representative of this attitude is the term ‘those Asian countries,’ which Japan uses to refer to nations such as the Republic of Korea and China that do not particularly favor them. This term would be hard to use if Japan truly saw itself as part of Asia.
This attitude from Japan is enough to provoke anger in other countries, but…
At this moment, it might instead work against them.
The most fearsome thing for someone who idolizes another is to be looked down upon by that very person they admire.
“Still, though this third case would be favorable, can we really make things go our way?”
“Yes, finding divine objects and gathering evidence would be good, but there’s a high possibility that no evidence will remain.”
“Right now, assuming they’ve taken the offerings away, what are the odds any offerings would still exist?”
“Hang on a moment. They didn’t just use random offerings, right? There were probably materials used, weren’t there?”
“Materials, perhaps…”
But spreading the Japanese atrocities to Europe or the United States remains idle talk. To actually make this a reality would require ‘evidence.’
However, reality and wishful thinking are always different.
There’s a chance their desired evidence may not surface, which would mean they’d have to resort to other means to press Japan.
“Hmm… materials.”
Another type of ‘evidence’ that the high-ranking officials thought of was the materials used.
The materials used to create these monsters, to be more precise.
Since they were created through magic, surely there would be evidence among the offerings and rituals that could trace it back to Japan.
However, the officials could not think beyond this.
They didn’t know much about magic, nor could they use it themselves.
They were not experts.
The high-ranking officials only understood magic as ‘a power with easy entry but unimaginable cost,’ ‘a power that manifests through offerings and sacrifices,’ and ‘a versatile ability, but rarely mastered by dedicated users.’
Hence, no matter how much they speculated or questioned, it was bound to remain in place.
“Speaking of materials, doesn’t it make sense to consider how these monsters spread nationwide?”
“Yes.”
“Then, if we carefully observe how these divine objects moved, can we not find connections?”
If someone wonders how the monsters spread nationwide,
“Well, since it’s magic, they might have used some method.”
“Since they’re called yokai, they might have manipulated people to unknowingly deliver the divine objects.”
“They could have followed rivers, or maybe hung themselves on some vehicle.”
“Are you saying divine objects have legs?”
“What, don’t other countries’ shamans use evil spirits and ghosts to make objects move, or even enchant puppets to walk? Why not?”
This inevitably led to the conclusion, “If it’s magic, it must have worked somehow.”
Hence, the only option they had:
“Park Jinseong might be young, but he seems to have vast knowledge. All his suppositions seem reasonable.”
“Well, he may lack life experience, but special abilities don’t necessarily grow with age, do they? He may have reached a high level beyond his experience.”
“And since it’s not some other special ability but magic, it wouldn’t just be about what is visible, would it?”
“Yes. Let’s trust him and give the job a try.”
They had no other option but to trust Park Jinseong and assign him the task.
This wasn’t their only option.
However, they believed this was the best choice for them.
At his young age, Park Jinseong appeared knowledgeable about magic, and unlike some amateur who had previously helped with magic-related incidents, he was a professional ‘shaman’. Furthermore, Lee Yang-hoon, a trustworthy figure, vouched for him.
Besides, his youth was hardly a flaw.
With a youthful and good-looking appearance, he would likely draw people’s attention, and with little experience and limited exposure to the public, he would be easier to manipulate according to their needs.
They had ample tools at their disposal.
Patriotism.
Money.
Power.
Honor.
Rare magical materials.
Information.
High-ranking officials were confident.
They didn’t know what kind of person Park Jinseong was or what goals guided his life.
But they believed, with youthful fervor, he would inevitably be drawn to the government.
And once drawn, they believed he would act according to their will.
—
The government had misjudged Park Jinseong.
They thought he moved for his own benefit.
And their assumptions weren’t entirely off-base.
“Rise, how’s it going?”
However, his goals were different from what they imagined.
Jinseong, in a dark room at the highest floor, had his phone on for a video call. On the other end sat a woman wearing a shamaness outfit.
The woman looked at Jinseong with bright eyes, and her fox ears atop her head twitched occasionally. Behind her, it appeared a large brush-like object moved, likely Rise’s tail.
Rise, a Japanese shamaness, greeted Jinseong warmly.
“Indeed, the atmosphere is heating up as expected by our deity.”
Rise smiled as she answered Jinseong’s question.
“Those acting aggressively see this as the perfect opportunity and are flooding the press with articles using their connections.”
Rise then showed him her tablet screen.
“Korea, Finally Receiving Divine Punishment.”
“Amaterasu’s curse has befallen Korea.”
“A Korean anonymous user declares, ‘This calamity is Korea’s immorality. Korea must surely apologize for its wrongdoing.'”
“Professor Suzuki says, ‘This calamity was caused by Korea’s excessive urban development policy. Such disrespect for nature is unimaginable in Japan.'”
On her tablet were various articles about Korea, one after the other.
All these articles gleefully reported the calamities Korea faced, with comments claiming the gods punished Korea for their arrogance.
And it didn’t stop there.
Articles predicted more calamities in Korea’s future, that Korean land was cursed, only the upper 1% of Korean talent would be accepted for immigration, and no refugees would be welcome in Japan. There were even claims that Japan would have little interest in helping Korea, emphasizing their contribution to world peace.
It was nothing short of a festival.
A festival of disdain.
“Calamities that don’t befall one’s home can be a spectacle worth observing. And when the calamity befalls the thorn in your side, how could you not rejoice?”
“Yes. The atmosphere among the other council members is also heating up.”
Rise put away the tablet and looked at Jinseong.
Jinseong smiled at Rise’s words.
“Great. Things are going well indeed.”
