Jeong Dong-yeong "Gu-sang rights should be corrected if the regime changes"

"Normalization of Bilateral Relations Aligns with Japan's National Interest"

Regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's statement in an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun that "normalizing bilateral relations aligns with the interests of both countries," former Minister of Unification and former Standing Member of the National Security Council (NSC) during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, Chung Dong-young, said, "It precisely aligns with Japan's national interests." He also commented on President Yoon's remark that the government would not seek reimbursement claims even if the administration changes, stating, "When the government changes, mistakes must be corrected."

On the 16th, on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs,' former Minister Chung said, "From our standpoint, normalization that sacrifices our pride can only be called abnormal. It is diplomatic recklessness."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the absence of a joint declaration at this summit, he said, "They simply cannot do it. The right-wing Sankei Shimbun wrote, 'Because we came out strong, Korea bowed down.'" He added, "If a joint declaration were to be included, it would inevitably have to contain a sincere apology and reflection on the pain inflicted on the Korean people, but since Japan cannot accept that position, a joint declaration is impossible."

Former Minister Chung emphasized, "There is a need to be dignified in attitude and messaging," adding, "Our people have, over the past 50 years, achieved economic growth through blood, sweat, and tears, and not only that, have developed a democracy that has surpassed Japan. Our people cannot tolerate being portrayed unilaterally in such a humiliating manner."

Regarding President Yoon's comment that he has considered the 'third-party payment' reasonable since his time as a prosecutor, he said, "This tramples on the rule of law. The Supreme Court ruled that Japanese companies must compensate, but if our companies say they will pay instead of Japanese companies, this does not align with the rule of law." He further explained, "For example, if our companies have nothing to do with the Supreme Court ruling but pay money for a third party, this precisely constitutes breach of trust, and the person who ordered this would be guilty of abuse of authority."

On President Yoon's statement that "there will be no future claims for reimbursement against Japan," former Minister Chung said, "He is expressing his unilateral wish," adding, "There is no such law; when the government changes, mistakes will be corrected again."