By Lee Jihae
Video = Korean Culture and Information Service under Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

A video on Korean victims of forced labor in the early 20th century by imperial Japan is helping spread and promote the meaning of basic human rights and dignity.

To spread awareness of such victims, the Korean Culture and Information Service under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism created the clip titled "It's not your fault" uploaded on Aug. 26 with Korean and English subtitles. Within a week, the clip attracted 130,000 views on YouTube and more than 4,880 on Facebook.

The clip begins with the International Labor Organization's principle, "Everyone has the right to decent work." It sheds light on those who were forced to perform labor by Japan during the Pacific War (1941-45) of World War II simply because they were nationals of Japan's colonies or enemy nations.

The video contrasts Germany's repentance for its wartime atrocities and Japan's lack of remorse for its past misdeeds. Lee Chun-sik, a Korean forced to work at Japanese steel mills from 1941-43, is shown saying, "I cry because my heart aches. I feel like it's my fault that Koreans are suffering losses, all because of me."

Lee filed a lawsuit over his forced labor with the Korean Supreme Court, which in October last year ordered Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. to pay compensation. His quote reflects Japan's need to express a sincere apology.

Viewer comments on the clip include "This video is true and touching," "It's so painful" and "It's history that we must remember."

The clip can be seen on Korea.net's pages on YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/GatewayTokorea) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/KoreaClickers).

jihlee08@korea.kr