Assemblyman Yeo, MBC Radio Interview
Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, commented on the Japanese warship entering Busan Port flying the Self-Defense Forces flag, saying, "It is time to reconcile with the Rising Sun Flag as well."
Earlier, on the 29th, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship Hamagiri, which arrived in Busan, is set to participate in a multinational maritime blockade exercise hosted by our military in international waters southeast of Jeju on the 31st. Controversy arose as the ship entered our military port flying the Self-Defense Forces flag featuring the Rising Sun emblem.
Regarding this, on the morning of the 30th, Ha stated in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "Even if the Chinese national flag is raised, our society somewhat tolerates it. Similarly, it is time to reconcile with the Rising Sun Flag."
Ha said, "In reality, the level of reconciliation with Japan is much higher than that with North Korea. We even have shuttle diplomacy. In this situation, reconciling with the Chinese flag but forbidding the Rising Sun Flag from being displayed or entering is a bit excessive."
Ha also said, "Another misunderstanding is that the Nazi symbol of Germany and the Rising Sun Flag are different. The Nazi symbol is the swastika, which represents the Nazi Party," adding, "The German military is symbolized by the Iron Cross, which the German military still uses. The swastika representing the Nazi Party is banned due to the Auschwitz massacre."
He continued, "The German military has traditionally used the Iron Cross, and the Rising Sun Flag has been continuously used by the Japanese military since its establishment," adding, "Just as the world tolerates the German Iron Cross, the Japanese Rising Sun Flag is also accepted worldwide."
He further stated, "Even the Chinese government tolerates the Rising Sun Flag," and "While the Chinese people criticize it, the government has never accepted it in the same way as the German swastika. At this point, a reconciliation policy regarding the Rising Sun Flag is necessary."
Ha said, "A similar case is Kimigayo. Since Kimigayo is Japan's national anthem, it is played at the Olympics, but when it is played, people say it should not be played," adding, "If so, then Japan should not come to the Olympics."
He also said, "Issues with North Korea and Japan have always been controversial because of historical reasons," and "When holding summits with North Korea, they do not demand an apology for the Korean War. Some far-right groups do, but if the Korean government starts demanding that, things will become very complicated," adding, "(The relationship with Japan) is the same."
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