韓國至今對日本仍存有深刻的歷史仇恨，這種情感的根源可追溯至日本對朝鮮半島的殖民統治（1910-1945），並因後續歷史問題未得到徹底解決而持續延伸至現代。這段歷史不僅帶來民族屈辱與文化創傷，也與現代的民族主義、教育體系和領土爭議交織，使反日情緒成為韓國國家認同與民族尊嚴的重要表徵。

殖民歷史是韓國對日仇恨的核心原因。日本在統治期間對朝鮮民族實施系統性的壓迫，使國家主權喪失，同時強化日本文化同化政策，如強迫使用日語、改日本姓氏，以及動員慰安婦與強制勞工，對韓國社會造成深刻的人道與文化創傷。日軍在占領期間的暴行，包括對平民的殺戮和掠奪，亦被歷史記錄所保留，這些行為成為民族痛苦記憶的重要組成部分。

歷史問題未得到妥善處理，進一步加深韓國民眾對日本的不滿。首先，日本政府對殖民歷史的道歉與賠償常被認為不夠真誠或不徹底，尤其是慰安婦和強制勞工的賠償問題，至今仍未完全解決。其次，日本教科書對殖民歷史的描述，常被韓國視為淡化或美化侵略行為。再者，獨島（日本稱竹島）的領土爭議，使民族情感與國家主權問題高度敏感，經常被用來激發社會反日情緒。

民族主義與國家認同也是反日情緒持續的重要因素。韓國社會將抗日歷史視為民族奮起抵抗的象徵，對日本的負面情感與民族自尊緊密相連。這些記憶透過歷史教育世代傳承，使年輕一代依然保持高度警覺與情感共鳴。相比之下，台灣在日治時期後經歷多重政權更替，歷史清算相對複雜，因此「反日」並未成為核心的民族敘事，而韓國則不同，歷史創傷被高度內化為國家認同的一部分。

當代情況下，雖然韓日之間存在民間交流與經貿合作，但隨著日本右翼言論抬頭以及歷史問題持續發酵，反日情緒仍然是韓國社會中一股強大的力量。近年來，部分韓國人對改善兩國關係持較為開放的態度，認為應深化友好交流，但歷史創傷的陰影依然存在，使反日情感難以徹底消退，並繼續在政治、社會與文化層面發揮影響。

South Korea continues to harbor deep-seated historical resentment toward Japan, rooted in the period of Japanese colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula (1910–1945) and perpetuated by unresolved historical issues in the subsequent decades. This history not only inflicted national humiliation and cultural trauma but also intertwines with modern nationalism, the education system, and territorial disputes, making anti-Japanese sentiment a key expression of South Korea’s national identity and collective dignity.

The colonial period remains the core reason for Korea’s historical animosity. During its rule, Japan implemented systematic oppression that stripped Korea of sovereignty and imposed cultural assimilation policies, such as enforcing the use of Japanese, mandating Japanese surnames, and mobilizing “comfort women” and forced laborers, leaving profound humanitarian and cultural scars. Japanese military atrocities, including massacres and looting of civilians, were documented and preserved, becoming central components of the collective memory of Korean suffering.

Unresolved historical issues have further fueled anti-Japanese sentiment. Japan’s apologies and compensations for its colonial actions are often viewed as insufficient or insincere, particularly regarding “comfort women” and forced laborers, whose grievances remain incompletely addressed. Additionally, controversies over Japanese textbooks portraying the colonial period have been perceived in Korea as attempts to downplay or justify the occupation. Territorial disputes over Dokdo (called Takeshima in Japan) exacerbate nationalist emotions, as sovereignty concerns are highly sensitive and frequently mobilized to stoke public anti-Japanese sentiment.

Nationalism and identity formation also play a critical role in sustaining these sentiments. Korean society regards the anti-Japanese struggle as a symbol of national resistance, closely linking negative feelings toward Japan with national pride. These historical memories are transmitted through education across generations, maintaining high awareness and emotional resonance among younger Koreans. In contrast, Taiwan, which experienced multiple regime changes after Japanese rule, has a more complex historical reckoning, and anti-Japanese sentiment has not become a central component of national identity. Korea, however, internalized its historical trauma as a defining element of statehood and collective identity.

In contemporary times, while there is civil exchange and economic cooperation between Korea and Japan, rising Japanese right-wing rhetoric and ongoing historical disputes keep anti-Japanese sentiment strong in South Korean society. Recently, some Koreans have expressed a more open attitude toward improving bilateral relations and deepening friendly exchanges, yet the shadow of historical trauma persists, making anti-Japanese sentiment resilient and influential across political, social, and cultural domains.