Japanese Ambassador to Korea Expresses Regret Over 'President Moon's Masturbation' Remark... "Strict Warning Issued"

Koichi Aiboshi, Ambassador of Japan to Korea, is giving a greeting at the commemorative event "10 Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake: Gratitude and Revival" held on the afternoon of the 11th at the Public Affairs and Cultural Center of the Embassy of Japan in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2021.03.11 Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Koichi Aiboshi, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, expressed regret and issued a stern warning regarding the remarks made by Hirohisa Soma, the Japanese Embassy's Minister-Counselor, who compared President Moon Jae-in's diplomacy to 'self-defense actions.'

Ambassador Aiboshi stated in a press release on the 17th, "Even if Minister-Counselor Soma's remarks were made during a private conversation, they are extremely inappropriate for a diplomat and very regrettable."

Earlier, on the 16th, a media outlet reported that Minister-Counselor Soma had said during a meeting that President Moon's diplomacy was close to 'self-defense actions,' causing a stir.

Ambassador Aiboshi clarified, "Upon immediately confirming with Minister-Counselor Soma, it is true that such expressions were used during the conversation, but this was never a statement directed at President Moon."

He added, "I heard that Minister-Counselor Soma told the reporter present that the remarks were inappropriate and retracted them on the spot."

The issuance of an official statement from the Japanese Ambassador to Korea indicates that the Japanese government is taking this matter very seriously. President Moon is planning a visit to Japan in connection with the Tokyo Olympics but has set a policy not to visit if there are no achievements such as a summit meeting.

As our government demands a 'change in Japan's attitude,' attention is focused on whether this incident will also affect the decision on the visit to Japan.

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