[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] The ruling and opposition parties expressed strong regret over the offering of tribute and visits to Yasukuni Shrine by current and former Japanese leaders.
On the 17th, Lee Yong-bin, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, stated in a written briefing, “We strongly regret the annual actions of Prime Minister Kishida following former Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe and Yoshihide Suga.”
Spokesperson Lee said, “The friendly solidarity between Korea and Japan can only begin with Japan’s acknowledgment of its past war crimes,” adding, “Prime Minister Kishida’s actions, lacking reflection and remorse for the invasion war, raise serious doubts about whether there is any will to improve Korea-Japan relations.”
He continued, “If we are to build a future-oriented cooperative relationship between Korea and Japan, we hope to see an attitude that inspires trust first,” and urged, “We expect the Japanese government to make active efforts regarding the issues of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period and the victims of the Japanese military’s comfort women.”
Yang Jun-woo, spokesperson for the People Power Party, also criticized in a verbal comment, “This is an action that greatly disappoints those who hoped for changes in Korea-Japan relations,” and said, “It raises questions about whether the newly launched Japanese government has the will to resolve the strained phase of Korea-Japan relations.”
Spokesperson Yang pointed out, “Former prime ministers visited the shrine immediately after retirement, and the current prime minister participated in the existing ‘team play’ by offering tribute,” adding, “The fundamental premise for improving Korea-Japan relations is reflection and apology for the imperialist invasion past, but shrine visits and tribute offerings are actions that directly violate this.”
He warned, “If such provocations are repeated during the phase of regime change, we cannot help but doubt whether the newly launched Kishida Cabinet has the will to improve Korea-Japan relations.”
On the same day, newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida offered tribute at Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined. His predecessor, former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, personally visited the shrine during the autumn festival (Shukai Yataisai) at Yasukuni Shrine.
Former Prime Minister Suga’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine was the first in about 9 years and 2 months since August 15, 2012, before he took office as Chief Cabinet Secretary in the second Abe administration.
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