"Apology for Japan's Past History Must Come First to Restore Korea-Japan Relations"
Amid the Japanese government's expression of regret over a court ruling ordering it to pay 200 million won each in damages to 16 victims of the 'Japanese military comfort women,' Lee Won-wook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised his voice, asking, "Will the Yoon Seok-yeol administration just stand by in response to such unfair summons and an attitude devoid of remorse?"
On the 24th, Lee posted on his Facebook, "The Seoul High Court ruled in favor of the victims and their families in the damages lawsuit filed against Japan by the victims of the Japanese military comfort women. Unlike the first trial, this ruling firmly upholds the rights of the victims, and I respect this decision." He added, "Despite the historical facts, the Japanese government's consistent non-response to even the existence of these facts has been met with a just ruling by our judiciary."
He stated, "Japan did not accept the just ruling and, in a brazen manner, summoned the South Korean ambassador to Japan to protest our government," and criticized, "The stance of 'deep regret over the ruling' is extremely regrettable, and it raises suspicion that the Japanese government is still affirming the memory of a war criminal state rather than offering an apology and reflection."
He continued, "We should also summon the Japanese ambassador to South Korea and issue a strong protest and expression of regret through a statement from the Yongsan Presidential Office," emphasizing, "That is the dignity and national interest, and it is the president's duty."
Furthermore, he said, "Japan, as an economic powerhouse, must show that it sincerely apologizes and compensates fully for its historical wrongdoings," adding, "That is the true restoration of Korea-Japan relations and the driving force that will enable genuine friendship and solid solidarity between future generations of both countries."
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