The government expressed its strong disappointment and condemnation over the Yasukuni Shrine visit by Japanese leaders on Liberation Day, saying it is a "time-warped act". On the 15th, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, "The Korean government strongly condemns the Japanese government's decision to visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which is a symbol of Japan's past aggression and colonial rule, on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule." The spokesperson continued, "This is a time-warped act that totally ignores the feelings of the Korean people and the international community, and is extremely regrettable." The spokesperson also emphasized, "The Japanese government should take a correct understanding of its history and make a sincere effort for reconciliation and cooperation with neighboring countries." Earlier on the same day, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and several other cabinet members visited the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.
The government strongly condemned the Japanese practice of visiting Yasukuni Shrine on August 15th, a day that marks both Japan's defeat and Korea's liberation. A government spokesperson stated, "The government cannot remain silent on this era-defying act. The Yasukuni Shrine's actions, which involve honoring war criminals and denying historical facts, reflect a mentality that refuses to acknowledge history."
The government urged both sides of the Japanese government to openly recognize past mistakes and engage in sincere reflection and repentance. This gesture, they argue, is crucial for fostering trust between the two nations and building a forward-looking relationship between Japan and South Korea. Despite the government's stance, several senior Japanese officials, including former Defense Minister Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Kakao, and members of the ruling party, directly visited Yasukuni Shrine on the day in question.
Yasukuni Shrine, located in Tokyo's Minato Ward, is a memorial site that commemorates 2.466 million war casualties, including high-ranking Japanese military officials convicted of war crimes by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE) and sentenced to death.
Written by urgent.news from Hankyoreh's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
