Korea deplores Japanese officials' visits to Yasukuni Shrine

The foreign ministry of South Korea strongly condemned Japanese officials and politicians who visited the Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, urging them to acknowledge history and express remorse in order to foster bilateral relations grounded in mutual trust. The ministry released a statement following visits to or offerings made at the shrine by Japanese ministers and lawmakers, which took place on the anniversary of Japan's 1945 surrender in World War II.

The government could only express disdain for the outdated and historically misguided actions of responsible Japanese leaders who once again honored the shrine, a symbol of Japan's war-mongering past and a place where convicted war criminals are honored. The ministry called upon Japan's leaders to confront history squarely and show remorse for past actions, stating that such actions are crucial for developing future-oriented Korea-Japan relations built on mutual trust.

Kim Hak-jo, director general for international policy at South Korea's defense ministry, summoned Takeshi Nagayoshi, Japan's defense minister, to discuss the matter.