Japan's Kishida Offers Yasukuni Shrine Tribute... Government Urges "Face History" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated on the 21st that regarding Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s offering of tribute at Yasukuni Shrine, "Japan must face history squarely and show humble reflection and a humble attitude." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement expressing regret.

On the morning of the same day, while heading to the confirmation hearing preparation office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Park was asked about his stance on the offering of tribute. He said, "As you know well, Yasukuni Shrine glorifies Japan’s past aggressive wars and enshrines war criminals," emphasizing this point.

When asked whether the Korea-Japan policy consultation team visiting Japan on the 24th would raise issues regarding the distortion of history in Japanese textbooks, he said, "Our government has continuously addressed this with Japan," and stressed, "As I mentioned earlier, it is important for Japan to show humble reflection and an attitude of repentance."

Regarding a question about the relocation of the ambassador’s residence as the transition team considers moving the Foreign Minister’s official residence to President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol’s official residence, he said, "Once the transition team reviews and reaches a conclusion, we will follow that."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also released a related statement on the same day, saying, "The government expresses deep disappointment and regret over the repeated offerings of tribute or visits by responsible Japanese leaders to Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan’s past aggressive wars and enshrines war criminals."

It added, "Our government urges responsible Japanese leaders to face history squarely and demonstrate humble reflection and genuine repentance for the past through their actions."