Korea denounces Japanese officials' visits to Yasukuni Shrine

Korea strongly condemned Japanese officials and politicians for visiting the Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, urging the country's leaders to acknowledge their history and demonstrate remorse for past actions in order to establish bilateral relations built on mutual trust. The issue came to light after Japanese ministers and lawmakers either visited or made offerings at the shrine, a site that symbolizes Japan's militaristic past and is considered controversial due to its association with wartime atrocities.

The Korean Foreign Ministry released a statement expressing its disappointment over the "anachronistic and historically oblivious acts" of Japanese leaders who continue to participate in these rituals or visit the shrine. The ministry highlighted that the shrine glorifies Japan's wartime aggression and honors convicted war criminals, emphasizing that Japan's leaders must confront history directly and express regret for past deeds.

These actions are seen as crucial for fostering future-oriented relations between Korea and Japan, founded on trust. Kim Hak-jo, the director general for international policy at Korea's Defense Ministry, personally summoned Takeshi Nagayoshi, Japan's Defense Attache in Seoul, to discuss the matter.