North Korea Criticizes Former Prime Minister Abe's Visit to Yasukuni Shrine

"Revealing the True Face of Militarism" Criticized

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-gyu Lee] North Korea criticized former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine as revealing his militaristic nature.

On the 30th, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) condemned Abe in a commentary titled "The Death Agony of a Political Corpse," stating, "Former Prime Minister Abe, who resigned citing illness, visited the militaristic symbol Yasukuni Shrine less than a week after stepping down."

KCNA referred to Abe's tweet saying he "reported to the spirits after visiting Yasukuni Shrine and retiring as prime minister," calling it "a disgraceful revelation of the ugly nature of a militaristic fanatic" and "a desperate act inciting Japan's remilitarization efforts."

After visiting Yasukuni Shrine in December 2013, marking his first year back in office, Abe refrained from visiting for over six years amid strong public criticism. However, he recently visited the shrine again shortly after stepping down from his prime minister position.