A-bomb survivors, Hiroshima mayor and governor, condemn North Korean nuclear test
Jan. 12, 2016
On January 6, following an announcement by North Korea that it had carried out a hydrogen bomb test, A-bomb survivors and leaders in the Hiroshima area voiced outrage. They questioned North Korea’s desire to rely on nuclear power for its security and urged the international community to abolish nuclear arms as swiftly as possible in order to create a more peaceful world.
“I feel like I’ve been thrown into the pit of a valley,” said Sunao Tsuboi, 90, the chairman of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, his voice trembling. In 1996 and 1999, Mr. Tsuboi took part in missions to North Korea, organized by the Hiroshima Congress against A- and H-Bombs (Gensuikin) and other groups, and helped hold A-bomb exhibitions there. He fiercely condemned the actions of the North Korean government, saying, “Peace will never be realized with armed force. I ask them to open their eyes.”
Kunihiko Sakuma, 71, the chair of the other Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hidankyo), said, “This act completely disregards the protests we’ve made against the three nuclear tests they carried out in the past. It’s unforgivable.” The two Hidankyo groups are scheduled to stage sit-ins, respectively, in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Naka Ward on January 7. A group called “Second and Third-generation A-bomb Survivors in Okayama,” formed by children and grandchildren of A-bomb survivors in Okayama Prefecture, sent a letter of protest to the North Korean office at the United Nations.
North Korea, though, is not the only nation hindering progress toward a world free from nuclear weapons. Masafumi Morita, 73, chair of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, pointed out that the presence of other nuclear powers has fueled North Korea’s desire to possess nuclear weapons, too. Lee Sil Gun, 86, chair of the Council of Atom-bombed Koreans in Hiroshima, argued, “Both Japan and South Korea should rethink their current position, which justifies clinging to the U.S. nuclear umbrella for security, and encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons.”
Local leaders raised their voices in protest, too. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, responding to questions from reporters at City Hall, said, “This is a violent act. North Korea has destroyed the hopes of A-bomb survivors who have appealed for the abolition of nuclear weapons as the absolute evil. More than ever, the international community must determine a clear direction toward achieving a world free of nuclear arms.” Meanwhile, Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki commented, “This is completely unacceptable. I strongly request that North Korea give serious consideration to world opinion and the wishes of the people of Hiroshima Prefecture, who desire the abolition of nuclear weapons and a permanent peace, and abandon any type of nuclear development from this point on.” Both Mr. Matsui and Mr. Yuzaki sent letters of protest to Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader.
(Originally published on January 7, 2016)
“I feel like I’ve been thrown into the pit of a valley,” said Sunao Tsuboi, 90, the chairman of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, his voice trembling. In 1996 and 1999, Mr. Tsuboi took part in missions to North Korea, organized by the Hiroshima Congress against A- and H-Bombs (Gensuikin) and other groups, and helped hold A-bomb exhibitions there. He fiercely condemned the actions of the North Korean government, saying, “Peace will never be realized with armed force. I ask them to open their eyes.”
Kunihiko Sakuma, 71, the chair of the other Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hidankyo), said, “This act completely disregards the protests we’ve made against the three nuclear tests they carried out in the past. It’s unforgivable.” The two Hidankyo groups are scheduled to stage sit-ins, respectively, in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Naka Ward on January 7. A group called “Second and Third-generation A-bomb Survivors in Okayama,” formed by children and grandchildren of A-bomb survivors in Okayama Prefecture, sent a letter of protest to the North Korean office at the United Nations.
North Korea, though, is not the only nation hindering progress toward a world free from nuclear weapons. Masafumi Morita, 73, chair of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, pointed out that the presence of other nuclear powers has fueled North Korea’s desire to possess nuclear weapons, too. Lee Sil Gun, 86, chair of the Council of Atom-bombed Koreans in Hiroshima, argued, “Both Japan and South Korea should rethink their current position, which justifies clinging to the U.S. nuclear umbrella for security, and encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons.”
Local leaders raised their voices in protest, too. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, responding to questions from reporters at City Hall, said, “This is a violent act. North Korea has destroyed the hopes of A-bomb survivors who have appealed for the abolition of nuclear weapons as the absolute evil. More than ever, the international community must determine a clear direction toward achieving a world free of nuclear arms.” Meanwhile, Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki commented, “This is completely unacceptable. I strongly request that North Korea give serious consideration to world opinion and the wishes of the people of Hiroshima Prefecture, who desire the abolition of nuclear weapons and a permanent peace, and abandon any type of nuclear development from this point on.” Both Mr. Matsui and Mr. Yuzaki sent letters of protest to Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader.
(Originally published on January 7, 2016)
