"Korea, forget my grace and loyalty"... 'Baseball legend' Jang Hoon naturalized as Japanese citizen

ⓒYonhap News Agency

Korean-Japanese player Jang Hoon (Japanese name Isao Harimoto), who is considered a legend in the Japanese professional baseball world, said he acquired Japanese nationality several years ago.

In an interview with the Sankei Shimbun published on the 1st, Jang Hoon said, "At one point, the (Korean) regime showed an attitude of ignoring Koreans in Japan," adding, "I'm telling you for the first time, but I changed my nationality several years ago. Now, I am a Japanese national," he said.

Jang Hoon, a second-generation Korean-Japanese born in Hiroshima in 1940, played in the Japanese professional baseball league from 1959 to 1981, setting a record for most hits (3,085). He has maintained his Korean nationality despite being discriminated against for being a Korean-Japanese, but he revealed his naturalization through this interview.

Jang Hoon emphasized that Koreans in Japan are not people who came because they wanted to come to Japan, and that "they have been trying to fulfill their military service or have not eaten, and they all worked desperately." He added that he inherited his parents' veins and lived with pride as a Korean-Japanese.

He then mentioned that there was a historical problem between Japan and Korea and pointed out, "There was discrimination (in Japanese colonial era), and during the Great Kanto Earthquake, many Koreans were sacrificed due to rumors that they 'fire' or 'poisoned'," and pointed out, "The Japanese should not forget that."

However, he added, "I think we should understand each other more," saying that Japan dominated Korea and created roads and schools, and that Korea became a developed country thanks to cooperation with Korea.

Regarding receiving the Mugunghwa Medal of the Korean National Medal in 2007, Jang Hoon said, "I have been recognized for contributing to the development of Korean society in Japan for a long time," and confessed that there is a feeling of regret in the Korean baseball community.

"A few years ago, an official came and said he would give a commendation for his achievements in the development of the Korean baseball community, but he refused," he said. "I've been an assistant for more than 20 years and created a professional (baseball) organization, but I've never invited him to the Korean Series or All-Star Game."

He then complained, saying, "It's the bad thing about the country," adding, "I forgot about grace and loyalty."

Reporter Lee Yu Na from Digital News Team.