Japan’s prime minister expresses sympathy for Korean colonial victims

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed sympathy for the suffering of Korean bonded laborers during Japan’s colonial rule. Kishida and the South Korean president on Sunday resolved to resolve historically contentious issues and strengthen cooperation to address common challenges such as North Korea’s nuclear program. The Japanese prime minister’s comments during his second summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in less than two months are being closely watched in Seoul.

Yoon has faced criticism in South Korea for making concessions to Tokyo without taking similar steps in return. Kishida’s statement shows that he refrained from making a fresh and direct apology on colonization, but still expressed sympathy for the Korean victims. There has been speculation that Kishida was under pressure to maintain improving relations with South Korea. Addressing a press conference jointly with Yoon, Kishida said, “Personally, my heart aches as I think of the immense hardship and sorrow that many people went through in those days.” Had to suffer in the environment. ,

Kishida was referring to Japan’s colonial rule on the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. “Japan and South Korea are historically linked and have shared development journeys, and I believe it is my responsibility as Prime Minister of Japan to cooperate with President Yun and the South Korean side,” Kishida said. Because we follow the efforts of our predecessors who have overcome difficult times. ”The leaders of South Korea and Japan met on Sunday to improve bilateral relations.

orThis is the second meeting between the leaders of the two countries in less than two months. South Korea and Japan are seeking to end a longstanding standoff on historical issues and boost cooperation over North Korea’s nuclear program and other regional challenges. Japanese Prime Minister Fimio Kishida arrived in South Korea on Sunday on a two-day visit. Earlier, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited Tokyo in mid-March. The leaders of Japan and South Korea have made back-to-back visits to each other’s countries for the first time in 12 years.

Yoon said at the beginning of the meeting, “It took 12 years from the beginning of the strategy of mobility, but we exchanged visits in less than two months. I think it confirms that the South Korea-Japan relationship, which has recently started a new beginning, is moving forward at a fast pace. ”Yoon said that the cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo reflects the current serious international political situation and global crisis. Seeing is necessary. He did not give much information about this. Although he has previously said that North Korea’s flourishing nuclear program, intensifying US-China strategic rivalry and problems in the global supply chain require greater cooperation with Japan.

Kishida said he and Yun plan to exchange views on further developing bilateral ties. He said that since his summit with Yun in March, a series of talks have started moving forward dynamically. South Korean and Japanese officials said Yole and Kishida would discuss North Korea’s nuclear program, economic security of South Korea and Japan, overall relations and other international issues. The two countries have in recent weeks rolled back economic measures taken against each other over the years for historical reasons.

Relations between Seoul and Tokyo have long soured over issues stemming from Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida visited the National Cemetery in Seoul before the summit with Yoon. Most of the people buried in this cemetery are those who lost their lives during the Korean War, but those who fought for freedom during the Japanese rule are also buried here. He paid a silent tribute in front of a monument.

Disclaimer:IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.

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