81 Years Since the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: The Ongoing Suffering of Hibakusha
It has been 81 years since the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. At the time, approximately 700,000 people were exposed to radiation, including about 100,000 Koreans. Although a long time has passed since the end of the war, the damage caused by the atomic bombs continues to this day.
Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) have long suffered from health problems caused by radiation and social prejudice. In particular, Korean survivors who were in Japan at the time faced double the hardship, as it was difficult for them to receive adequate support or medical treatment after returning to their home country. Their existence is an important part of history that conveys the tragedy of war to the present day.
Currently, as survivors age, it is becoming increasingly difficult to pass down their memories of that time. However, survivors and their families continue to work to convey the horrors of nuclear weapons to the world and to build a peaceful society. Their voices are a vital message in aiming for a future without nuclear weapons.
Even after 81 years, the scars left by the atomic bombs have not faded. We are called upon to learn history correctly and not to forget the experiences of the survivors. It is necessary for each and every one of us to reflect on the value of peace and consider what we can do to ensure that such mistakes are never repeated.