Yoo Seung-min: "Kishida's 'I'm sorry to hear that' is not an apology... I don't feel sincerity"

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min criticized Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's remark that he feels "heartbroken," saying it was "not an apology" and that he "did not feel sincerity."

On the 8th, Yoo said on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' program, "Hearing that it was a personal thought, I thought these people are really stingy when it comes to apologizing," expressing his view.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He stated, "I don't think we need to force Japan to apologize or make them bow down and beg for forgiveness," but added, "German chancellors have knelt and shed tears at Auschwitz concentration camp, repeatedly apologizing without end. However, when the Japanese prime minister says in an official press conference or public setting that he feels heartbroken, it is not an expression of apology for the crime."

Yoo pointed out, "The Japanese prime minister came after 12 years, but is this truly a sincere apology to our people? Is it really a polite gesture? I do not feel that sincerity."

Regarding the dispatch of an inspection team to the Fukushima contaminated water discharge issue, he said, "It's ridiculous," adding, "An inspection is just going to look around. They follow the guidance of the Japanese government or Tokyo Electric Power Company, listen to explanations, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigation team has already conducted multiple inspections."

He said, "If they go this time, it should not be an inspection team but rather a verification team. If there is a problem and radioactive materials are leaking, but the conclusion is that there is no problem, then that could effectively grant a significant exemption. In that sense, I am rather worried."