Moon Emphasizes 'Respect for Human Rights and Future Cooperation' on Japan Day... Prime Minister Abe Makes 'Offering' at Yasukuni Shrine

President Moon Jae-in Emphasizes Respect for Judiciary Rulings on Forced Labor in 75th Liberation Day Speech
Calls for Dialogue Between Both Countries to Seek Solutions: "Keep the Door Wide Open for Consultation with Japan"
Foreign Ministry Expresses "Disappointment and Concern" Over Shrine Visits and Offerings, Urges "Humble Reflection and Genuine Apology Through Concrete Actions"
Abe Mentions 'Proactive Pacifism' for the First Time in Victory Day Memorial Speech

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 15th, marking the 75th anniversary of Liberation Day, President Moon Jae-in emphasized the need for South Korea and Japan to seek a victim-centered resolution through dialogue regarding the conflict over compensation for forced labor during Japanese colonial rule, while respecting the rulings of the South Korean judiciary.

President Moon, attending the '75th Liberation Day Celebration' held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul that morning, stated in his congratulatory address, "We respect the judiciary's rulings and have been consulting with the Japanese government on a smooth resolution that victims can agree upon, and the door to consultation remains wide open. Our government is ready to sit down with the Japanese government at any time."

Regarding the Supreme Court ruling that determined the 'claim for damages due to illegal acts' filed by forced labor victims has not expired, he affirmed, "It holds the highest legal authority and enforceability within the territory of the Republic of Korea," reaffirming the legitimacy of compulsory execution measures such as the liquidation (sale) of assets of Japanese companies following forced labor compensation rulings.

President Moon added, "We will work together with Japan to uphold democracy, universal human values, and the principles of international law," and "I believe that Japan and South Korea, respecting the human rights of individuals, will build a bridge of friendship and future cooperation between our peoples through joint efforts."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also called for future cooperation based on human rights. Emphasizing the necessity of respecting the human rights of forced labor victims and resolving common issues, he stated that this should serve as a starting point for future cooperation. President Moon said, "I believe that Japan and South Korea, respecting the human rights of individuals, will build a bridge of friendship and future cooperation between our peoples through joint efforts."

Among the four forced labor victims who filed a damages lawsuit against Japanese companies in 2005, three have passed away. President Moon said, "The sole surviving elder, Lee Chun-sik, said last year when Japan's export restrictions began, 'I wonder if South Korea is suffering losses because of me,'" adding, "We will confirm that protecting the dignity of an individual is never a loss to the country."

On the same day, marking the 75th anniversary of the end of the Pacific War, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered offerings at Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals are enshrined. Prime Minister Abe sent funds for the wooden ritual decoration 'Tamagushi' to be dedicated to Yasukuni Shrine in his capacity as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Shuichi Takatori, special advisor to the LDP president who delivered the offering, said, "Prime Minister Abe expressed sincere respect and gratitude to the war dead who became the cornerstone of peace."

Both visits to the shrine and offerings are regarded as acts condoning aggressive war, drawing backlash from neighboring countries. On this day, Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Koichi Hagiuda, who joined the cabinet in September last year, visited the shrine. It was the first time in four years since 2016 that Japanese ministers visited Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of defeat.

Prime Minister Abe then delivered a memorial address at the 'National Memorial Service for the War Dead' held at Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, marking the 75th anniversary of the end of the war. He claimed, "For 75 years after the war, Japan has consistently pursued the path of valuing peace," and "We have strived to make the world a better place." He particularly emphasized, "Under the banner of proactive pacifism, we are determined to work with the international community to address various challenges facing the world." This was the first time Prime Minister Abe used the term 'proactive pacifism,' implying that security must be maintained independently on the day marking defeat.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep disappointment and concern over the Japanese government and parliamentary leaders glorifying Japan's past aggressive war and repeatedly visiting and offering offerings at Yasukuni Shrine, where war criminals are enshrined, on the anniversary of the Pacific War's end. A ministry spokesperson stated in a comment, "We express deep disappointment and concern over the Japanese government and parliamentary leaders once again offering offerings and visiting Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past aggressive war and enshrines war criminals."

The spokesperson urged responsible Japanese leaders to demonstrate reflection and remorse through concrete actions. The ministry spokesperson emphasized, "The government sternly points out that responsible Japanese leaders must face history correctly and show humble reflection and genuine remorse for the past through actual actions," adding, "This is essential to build a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship and to gain trust from neighboring countries and the international community."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.