'Rejection of Meeting Request for Removal of Joseonin Chudo Monument' Japanese Branch "Will Meet Korean Ambassador"

Gunma Prefecture in Japan reportedly refused a request for a meeting between senior officials of the Korean Embassy in Japan and Governor Yamamoto Ichita before the removal work of the memorial for Korean laborers in January, Asahi Shimbun reported on the 28th.

According to the report, a staff member of the Korean Embassy in Japan visited the Gunma Prefectural Office in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, one week before the removal work of the Korean memorial in the prefectural park "Gunma no Mori" began, and met with the responsible department head.

The Korean Embassy requested a meeting between the Gunma Governor and embassy officials to discuss resolving the Korean memorial issue, but Gunma Prefecture reportedly contacted the embassy a few days later to refuse the request.

Regarding this, a Korean Embassy official said, "We have been continuously consulting with Gunma Prefecture before the removal to seek a solution, and it is true that we requested a meeting."

Ultimately, Gunma Prefectural authorities began the removal work of the Korean memorial on January 29 without meeting with the Korean Embassy officials, and the work was completed on February 2.

However, Governor Yamamoto reportedly gave a series of statements at a press conference held around the time of the removal work, claiming that the Korean side did not make contact, which was contrary to the facts, Asahi Shimbun reported.

In this regard, Kyodo News reported that Governor Yamamoto stated at a press conference held that day that he intended to respond to a meeting request from Ambassador Yoon.

Governor Yamamoto said, "On the 22nd, I received a letter in the name of the Korean Ambassador expressing a desire to talk about the future of Korea-Japan relations," adding, "I only read the full text today and decided to meet." He explained that the reason for changing from refusal to acceptance was "to explain Gunma Prefecture's position." However, he repeated his previous stance that "there was no official contact (from the Korean Embassy)" even on that day before the removal work.