"No Apology" "Daily Progress"... Divergent Evaluations of Kishida's Visit by Ruling and Opposition Parties

The ruling and opposition parties have sharply contrasting views on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to South Korea. While the ruling party gives a positive assessment, saying "progress was made," the opposition points out that Prime Minister Kishida's apology was merely "rhetoric." Even within the ruling party, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, classified as part of the 'non-Yoon faction,' gave a harsh evaluation, saying there was "no sincerity."

On the 8th, Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "The glass was not half full, but at least half of half was filled," adding, "(Kishida) himself probably has a program to take one step, one step forward between the atmosphere of the Japanese political circles and certain sentiments in Korea."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

During this visit, Prime Minister Kishida declared the succession of the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration but expressed personal regret by saying "my heart aches over the sad events" instead of offering a direct apology. Lawmaker Yoon said, "Honestly, we expected a more progressive stance on the forced labor issue and past history," but also evaluated, "He expressed heartfelt sorrow for those who endured very harsh conditions at the time, so there was some progress."

Seong Il-jong, a member of the People Power Party, also positively evaluated on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' saying, "He declared succession of the DJ-Obuchi Declaration, which already included deep reflection and apology for the painful history of the past to move toward the future," and added, "Furthermore, the Japanese Prime Minister's personal expression of 'my heart aches for many who had difficult and sad experiences' was sufficiently honest."

On the other hand, the opposition party evaluates that the visit fell short of relieving the national grievance. Lee Sang-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "It might just be rhetoric," and criticized, "Our party's view on the Korea-Japan summit is quite critical."

He said, "What we demand from the Japanese side is a sincere reflection and apology as strong as that made during the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration when President Kim Dae-jung and the Japanese Prime Minister met," adding, "If even words close to that had been said, it could have been a good opportunity to heal the accumulated grievances and victim mentality of the people, but it's regrettable."

Critical voices also emerged within the ruling party. Former lawmaker Yoo said on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' "When I heard it was a personal thought, I thought these people are really stingy with apologies," adding, "German chancellors went to Auschwitz concentration camp, knelt down, and repeatedly apologized with tears. But the Japanese Prime Minister saying 'my heart aches' at an official press conference is not an expression of apology for the crime."

Former lawmaker Yoo criticized, "The Japanese Prime Minister came after 12 years, but is this really a sincere apology to our people? Is this really a polite appearance? I do not feel that sincerity."