It is known that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s expression of regret on the 7th regarding the victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period, saying, “My heart hurts,” was entirely based on his own decision.
An official from the presidential office said on the 8th, “It was clear that Prime Minister Kishida was struggling. It was an unexpected remark from us,” he said. “It seems that Prime Minister Kishida thought that he had to somehow respond to President Yoon Seok-yeol’s decision.” The official said, “During the pre-negotiation process, I have never heard of Prime Minister Kishida not only about the level of remarks about the past, but also whether or not he mentioned them. He did not coordinate in advance,” he added.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, President Yun said that considering Prime Minister Kishida’s position, he conveyed to the Japanese government, “Don’t be too burdened (about the past remarks) and come.” In response, a Japanese government official reported that Prime Minister Kishida “resolved to say something to support President Yoon and put Korea-Japan relations on a stable track.” It is reported that Prime Minister Kishida mentioned to Japanese diplomatic officials before visiting Korea with the intention of “leave that to me” regarding the issue of past history. Yomiuri said, “Prime Minister Kishida had a sense of crisis that if South Korea’s criticism of President Yoon intensified, the improving Korea-Japan relationship could go backwards.”
Prime Minister Kishida first raised the issue of past history in a small-group meeting attended by only the leaders of the two countries and key staff the previous day. A senior official in the presidential office told a briefing the day before that President Yoon responded by saying, “Korea has never brought up or demanded anything, but thank you for showing your sincere position first.” An official from the presidential office said, “As Prime Minister Kishida, he put a lot of thought into how to convey his feelings for the victims on Korean soil, which he has stepped on in 12 years.”
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.