Presidential Office “Hiroshima, where the G7 will be held
Visiting the memorial stone for Koreans by the leaders of Korea and Japan
Bowing down together with the victims of conscription”
While President Yoon Seok-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (pictured) decided to pay their respects together at the ‘Cenotaph for Korean Atomic Bomb Victims’ on the occasion of attending the G7 Summit held in Hiroshima, Japan on the 19th to 21st, Hiroshima The president’s office said that among the atomic bomb victims were Korean victims of forced labor during the Japanese occupation. The day before, Prime Minister Kishida, who said of the victims of forced labor, “I went through very painful and sad things in a harsh environment,” means that the fact that Prime Minister Kishida pays his respects at the memorial monument includes the nature of commemorating the victims of forced labor.
In a briefing held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day, an official from the presidential office said, “Among those who were sacrificed in Hiroshima, there are many who were actually taken for forced labor.” It makes sense,” he said. It is known that the names of the victims of forced labor who worked at the Hiroshima Works at the time of the atomic bombing have been identified. A high-ranking official in the presidential office assessed that “the leaders of Korea and Japan will bow their heads to comfort the victims of forced labor and prepare for the future together.” The monument was built to commemorate the 20,000 Koreans who lost their lives during the atomic bombing.
Prime Minister Kishida returned home after completing a two-day, one-night visit on the 8th and said, “I want to further strengthen the relationship of trust with President Yoon and join forces to open a new era.” We were able to deepen our relationship.” President Yoon also presided over the meeting of the chiefs and secretaries that day and asked for “thorough follow-up measures regarding security, industry, science and technology, culture, and future generation exchanges discussed at the Korea-Japan summit.” President Yoon is also known to have evaluated Prime Minister Kishida’s laying of flowers and burning incense at the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, where independence fighters are buried, as “a great development (in the relationship between the two countries).” Presidential Office Spokesman Lee Do-woon said, “Prime Minister Kishida showed that the Japanese government’s efforts to open the hearts of Koreans have begun.”
Evaluation and Suggestions from Experts on Korea-Japan Relations
Progress in visiting the memorial tower for Korean atomic bomb victims… Lack of response from Japan, go step by step
Shuttle diplomacy should not be stopped even if there is a problem… Enhancing deterrence against North Korea and seeking dialogue
Regarding the summit between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Korean experts on Korea-Japan relations evaluated that it was “the first step in restoring relations.” At the same time, he pointed out the need for communication in which President Yoon sincerely explains to the victims of forced labor and the public what was discussed at the summit, such as recognizing past history.
Experts on Korea-Japan relations in Japan positively evaluated Prime Minister Kishida’s remarks, “It is heartbreaking that many people have suffered painful and sad events in a harsh environment,” but said that it did not reach the level desired by Korean victims of forced labor and civic groups. pointed out
In a phone call with the Dong-A Ilbo on the 8th, Shin Kak-soo, former ambassador to Japan, said, “Relations between the two countries have shifted to a true two-track stage that deals with current and future cooperation issues while resolving issues of the past.” In particular, regarding the agreement to visit the memorial tower for Korean atomic bomb victims, “Japan took a sincere response by breaking away from the double standard of closing a blind eye to Korean victims, claiming that they were also victims of the atomic bombing. We have to overcome the past step by step like this.”
Regarding Prime Minister Kishida’s personal expression of regret for the victims of forced labor, many said that Japan’s continued efforts were necessary. Former Ambassador Shin said, “It’s not at the level we want, but I hope the Prime Minister’s warm words of consolation will be accepted as they are.” . Kim Jae-shin, former ambassador to Germany, said, “The issue of past history is an emotional issue that has no limit (限·End), saying, ‘This is enough’. So, there are still many points where Japan’s response measures are lacking.”
Jin Chang-soo, head of the Japanese Studies Center at the Sejong Institute, said, “If the government has set a direction to solve the problem on its own without making further demands on Japan, President Yoon needs to meet and communicate with the victims in person.” He said, “When the Korean people also get out of the victim mentality and the balance between the past, present, and future is balanced, a second Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi joint declaration can be drawn.”
Director of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy Park Cheol-hee explained the dispatch of the Fukushima polluted water inspection team, saying, “I think Prime Minister Kishida responded to the expectations, concerns and wishes of the Korean people in his own way.” Center Director Jin said, “Keeping in mind that the emotions of our people cannot be resolved only with scientific data, both countries must persuade them through transparent information sharing and scientific verification.”
Regarding security cooperation between South Korea and Japan, former Ambassador Kim said, “It was a good thing that the president said that he would not rule out Japan’s participation in the Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG). I love you,” he advised. Former Ambassador Shin suggested, “There are many concerns about relations with China as a reaction to the president’s bold adherence to the US and Japan, but he should actively explain to the public that he is not creating tension with China.”
Tadashi Kimiya, a graduate professor at the University of Tokyo, who is one of Japan’s leading Korean-Korean scholars, said, “From the perspective of Korea, I understand that there is dissatisfaction, but Prime Minister Kishida must support President Yoon, who presented a solution in consideration of domestic opposition. It shows the will to become,” he said.
Regarding Prime Minister Kishida’s comment, Kan Kimura, a graduate school professor at Kobe University who participated in a joint study of Korean and Japanese history, said, “I think it’s a step forward from the Tokyo summit in March, but it’s an impression that it’s a half-step forward, and it’s a risky level.” It would have been possible up to the level of the Abe statement in 2015 (expressing bitter remorse and apology), but I wonder if it was necessary to mention it as a personal position.”
Yoshihiro Ogata, a professor at Fukuoka University, said, “It was a more positive remark than expected, but in the end, the Japanese government’s position has not changed, and it has not reached a level that satisfies Korean victims, civic groups, and those who point out Japan’s responsibility for colonial rule.” did.
Professor Kimiya advised, “(Korea and Japan) need to increase their deterrence against North Korea, but they should seek the possibility of a policy of engagement with North Korea in the mid- to long-term.” Professor Ogata said, “Until now, when there was a problem between Korea and Japan, they had shown an attitude of trying to win by cutting off contact, but no matter what problem arises in the future, we must continue the framework of shuttle diplomacy through constant communication.”
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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.