Ven. Pomnyun's Answer to "How to Approach History as a Japanese Living with a Korean spouse” Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at Jogyesa Temple, Seoul (June 14, 2019)

Questioner : I have experienced arguing with my husband over historical problems between Korea and Japan. And a few times we almost divorced because of that.

Through the many arguments I realized both have strong [patriotism] towards own countries and different opinions based on the education we have been taught.

And I feel so pathetic to fight over something we can’t change.

What I really want to know is can we resolve complicated and somehow emotional matters due to the terrible history between Korean and Japan? And what can I do as an individual living in Korea, as a Japanese?