Lee Jae-myung "It Seems Unlikely That Prime Minister Suga Will Visit Korea"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, predicted that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's visit to Korea would be difficult for the time being.

On the 1st, Governor Lee wrote on Facebook, "Japan is a geographically and historically close and precious neighbor to us, but it is also a neighbor we must be cautious of, given that we suffered invasion and human rights violations just recently."

He added, "No matter how much Japan denies it, the history of invasion and brutal human rights violations is a historical truth and reality for the Republic of Korea," and stated clearly, "The issues of comfort women and forced labor are problems created by Japan as the perpetrator, regardless of what anyone says. A sincere apology for true reconciliation is made until the victim forgives and says to stop, not something that can be easily ended with a simple 'here, an apology.'"

He continued, "Seeing that conditions unacceptable legally and to public sentiment are being presented, it seems unlikely that Prime Minister Suga will visit Korea," and added, "As someone who hoped for a new chapter in future-oriented and rational Korea-Japan relations that truly align with the national interests of both countries, this is regrettable and disappointing."

Earlier, Kyodo News reported, citing a senior Japanese official, that "Regarding the compensation lawsuits for forced labor during the Japanese colonial period, Prime Minister Suga can visit Korea only if Korea promises not to seize Japanese company assets."

Our government is pushing to hold the Korea-China-Japan summit in Seoul within this year. Prime Minister Suga also plans to consecutively tour Asia starting with Vietnam and Indonesia from mid-next month.