Park Ji-won: "Kishida's Visit Should Uphold President Yoon's Dignity"

Former National Intelligence Service Director, MBC Radio Interview
Requests Restraint in Mentioning Fukushima Contaminated Water Issue

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won said in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 4th, "Shuttle diplomacy and the Japanese Prime Minister visiting Korea again is a good thing. However, at the last Korea-Japan summit, President Yoon Seok-yeol made a decision to give 100%. Prime Minister Kishida (Japan) should make a visit that preserves the dignity of our people and President Yoon Seok-yeol."

Former Director Park conveyed that Prime Minister Kishida should make explicit remarks regarding historical issues. He emphasized, "It is a principle that the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration, which President Yoon Seok-yeol holds as a golden rule, should be matched by Prime Minister Obuchi's level of reflection and apology."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Director Park said, "(Regarding the Fukushima contaminated water discharge issue,) don't talk about it. It seems Prime Minister Kishida is coming for that," and stated that we should not respond to Japan's intentions. Former Director Park urged, "If the contaminated water discharge issue arises now, what will happen to our hometowns Mokpo, Haenam, Jindo, Wando, Tongyeong, and Busan? The seafood. So don't talk about such things."

Meanwhile, regarding the voluntary withdrawal of lawmakers Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Sung-man, Former Director Park said, "They did well. Of course, the timing was a bit late, but anyway, they are representatives of the people for the Democratic Party, and the party persuaded them in advance. Their decision was a matter of survival for both themselves and the party. I highly appreciate that."

Regarding the view that the withdrawal was a strategic response to the prosecution's investigation, Former Director Park questioned, "Currently, the prosecution is not even investigating, and only recordings have come out. Why worry about the future and preemptively fret about it now?"