"Don't repeat the mistakes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki." A-



bomb survivors who saw the unimaginable damage caused by the atomic bomb, also known as "living hell," have appealed to the world for 77 years.



Now that Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues, a message that can only be conveyed by Japan, the only country exposed to the war.

This is the voice of a Korean man living in Japan who was bombed in Hiroshima.

At the age of 16, he was exposed at a point about 1.8 km from the hypocenter.

Lee Jung-gun, a second-generation Korean resident in Japan, is 92 years old.

When he was 16, he was exposed near Hiroshima Station, about 1.8 km from the hypocenter.



Mr. Lee, who works as a storyteller for foreign survivors, has visited various parts of the world so far, and the horror of nuclear weapons that cause damage regardless of race or nationality, and the solidarity of citizens around the world toward its abolition. I have continued to emphasize the importance of.



The origin of Mr. Lee's storyteller was that he participated in the activities of an NGO 10 years ago and visited countries including Ukraine to talk about his experience of being bombed.

I also visited the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in northern Ukraine (Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Russian) and witnessed the serious situation that the surrounding radioactive contamination continues even almost 30 years after the accident.



President Putin shows his willingness to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine.



On the other hand, from the 21st of this month, the first Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which bans the development, possession and use of nuclear weapons, is scheduled to be held in Austria, and discussions on nuclear weapons are intensifying at home and abroad.



We asked Mr. Lee, who has appealed to the world for the abolition of nuclear weapons and peace, what he wants to convey now.



(Interviewer: Zhou Ying, Social Affairs Department)

"Why kill innocent people ..."

Q1. How did you feel when you learned that Russia had invaded Ukraine?



(Mr. Lee)


I remember that the cityscape of Ukraine was really beautiful, so I was surprised to hear that the city was attacked.

The way of thinking is completely different only in the places you have visited.

Why kill innocent people?

Why attack such a beautiful city?

I didn't understand at all.



The war is miserable.

In the last war, if they were summoned, the family would sing a military song and see them off, and when they returned, they would pick up the remains at the station.

Such things have been repeated.



And the biggest victims are children and the elderly.



I can't read the true meaning of this military invasion, but why should I do this?

"Nuclear power plants must not be the target of attack"

Q2. This time, the nuclear power plant was temporarily occupied by the Russian army, causing great damage.

Mr. Lee also visited the Chernobyl nuclear power plant 10 years ago. How do you feel about the current situation?

* The image shows a building in the restricted residence area of ​​the nuclear power plant



(Mr. Lee)


The area around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was affected by radiation over a wide area even nearly 30 years after the accident.

Of course, no one can live in it, and the local guide told me that I shouldn't bring back a single fallen branch.

Seeing and hearing such a situation in the field, I was keenly aware of the horror of radiation and how much harm it would do to humans.



Even now, the radioactive materials inside the nuclear power plant have not been completely processed, and I think it will be difficult to stop the damage if they are attacked.



Many people were forced to evacuate due to the nuclear accident, but where should the local residents protest if the invasion causes damage again?

Where should I ask for help?

No matter how many times I think about it, I feel annoyed because the nuclear power plant should not be included in the attack target.



The invasion does not end immediately when we speak out, but we must continue to protest until the voice arrives.

I think it is necessary for each of us to see such a dire situation and have a strong feeling that the war must be stopped.

"If you use nuclear weapons, the earth will end."

Q3. President Putin also made a statement that flickers the use of nuclear weapons.



(Mr. Lee) I


was surprised.

Do you really use nuclear weapons?

If you use it, the earth will end.

I thought so.

Never use it again.

On August 6th, the whole city became a burnt field with just one shot.



I was 16 years old at the time, but I witnessed the charred bodies and the people staring at me while saying "Please give me water, please help me", and if there is something called hell, it's so miserable. It's about this place right now. "



If Russia uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine, the surrounding countries cannot be silent, and I think there is no doubt that the situation will be even more dire.



I would like President Putin to listen to the voices of the atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima.

I've always wanted to continue to testify as long as my legs move, as long as I can speak.

If President Putin visits Hiroshima while he is alive, I will testify about the atomic bomb.

"I don't think peace will be maintained because of nuclear weapons."

Q4. What do you think about the means of "nuclear deterrence" that threatens the opponent with nuclear weapons and discourages attacks?



(Mr. Lee)


Absolutely no.

I don't think peace will be maintained because of nuclear weapons.

Looking at the situation in Ukraine this time, I think people all over the world have realized how important peace is and how miserable the war is.



Of course, the nuclear weapons possessed by each country should not be used and should be disposed of as soon as possible.

What is needed is peace, not arms race.



I think that leaders in each country must communicate now.

I would like the United Nations to gather and discuss firmly in order to achieve peace, eliminate war, and abolish nuclear weapons.

"I'm really sorry not to participate" Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty First Conference of the Parties

Q5. From the 21st of this month, the first Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will be held in Austria.

The debate over nuclear weapons is intensifying, but what role do you think Japan should play in the international community?



* "Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty"


Under international law, this is the first treaty that positions nuclear weapons as illegal and prohibits their use, development, and possession.

It came into effect as an international treaty on January 22, last year, and is currently ratified by 62 countries and regions.

Countries with nuclear weapons such as the United States, Russia, and China and Japan have not participated.

(Mr. Lee)


Japan is still the only country in the world that has been exposed to war.

Japan must take the initiative to take the initiative and send out the message "to abolish nuclear weapons from the world".

To that end, I think Japan must also participate in the Conference of the Parties as an observer and sign it in the future.



This treaty is a long-cherished wish for A-bomb survivors and has a special meaning.



It can be said that Japan also agreed with the abolition of nuclear weapons for the first time after participating.

This is important.



However, Japan has announced that it will not participate as an observer this time.



I think it's because of the relationship with other countries such as the United States, but it's a shame that the only war-affected country doesn't participate.



In this state, we cannot say "let's get rid of nuclear weapons" in the world as a war-bombed country.

There must be a lot of things that must be communicated to the world from the standpoint of Japan.

"Equality and indiscrimination of life" Message to the world

Once nuclear weapons are used, the damage is not limited to one country, but across races and nationalities.

As a “living witness,” Lee has argued in each country that the solidarity of citizens around the world is essential for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

In an interview with NHK, which was held at the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing when he was 90 years old, Mr. Lee mentioned the words "equality of life and indiscrimination" as a message to convey to the world.



"For the abolition of nuclear weapons, we must eliminate the war itself from the world, and in order not to have a war, it is the citizens of each other's countries that do not discriminate, fight, or solidarity. This is the first step. I want each and every one of us to be aware that all lives are equal and should be cherished



. "

"'Don't go to war' Now is the time to create a mood."

Q6. The situation in Ukraine is uncertain, but is there any change in your thoughts in the message of "equal life and indiscrimination"?



(Mr. Lee)


I think it's really important now.

Discrimination causes problems between individuals, which in turn leads to national and national problems.

I think that by eliminating this, harmony and peace between human beings will be realized.



Now that the issue of nuclear weapons has been addressed, I think it is time for citizens from all over the world to work together to create a mood of "no war."



Also, don't say the letter "ka" for nuclear weapons anymore.

definitely.

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