The recent raid by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on an American factory, as operated by the South Korean companies Hyundai Motor Company (cars) and LG Electronics (batteries), reminded me of the 1992 novel Rising Sun by Michael Crichton (1942-2008).
“Although a detective/murder mystery novel at first glance, Rising Sun deals with the controversial subject of Japanese-American relations, and questions the premise that foreign direct investment in the high-technology sectors of the United States is beneficial. Throughout the book, the differences between the Japanese and Western mindsets are highlighted, especially in the areas of business strategy and corporate culture.”
Wikipedia: Rising Sun (Crichton novel)
The poor conditions (eg, Guardian, Reuters) of the 2025 American internment of hundreds of factory workers from South Korea, reminded me of the 1942-1946 internment of Japanese Americans.
“During World War II, the United States forcibly relocated and incarcerated about 120,000 people of Japanese descent in ten concentration camps operated by the War Relocation Authority (WRA), mostly in the western interior of the country. About two-thirds were U.S. citizens.”
Wikipedia: Internment of Japanese Americans
The subsequent “apologies” by a senior U.S. diplomat (eg, BBC, HFD, KT) reminds me of two quotes:
- “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission” by U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Grace Hopper;
- “True remorse is never just a regret over consequence; it is a regret over motive” by Mignon McLaughlin.
I fail to see any American regret – let alone remorse – over motive considering that the U.S. president offered to let S. Korean detainees stay, [and] train U.S. workers.
Hence, my question: is Asian fear – and removal of Asian hope – the true American motive ??
In my view, American stupidity is not the answer.
I suppose that the link between the 1992 book, the 1993 film, and the 2025 ICE raid, are these recent words by the American president: “We’re back at war“.
His recent rebranding of the U.S. Department of Defence into the U.S. Department of War confirms that view.
Rising Sun – Official Theatrical Trailer (1993)
IMDb, quotes, video, Wiki-film
Sean Connery: “We’re in the war zone.”
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.
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