청, Japan에 보내는 최후통첩…'납득할 만한 조치' 요구

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House announced on the 23rd a strong measure that could cancel the planned visit of President Moon Jae-in to Japan and the Korea-Japan summit meeting in connection with the Tokyo Olympics. This was presented on the condition of official action by the Japanese government regarding the recent disrespectful remarks made by Soma, the Charg? d'Affaires of the Japanese Embassy in Korea. Considering various schedules, since President Moon must depart by tomorrow (the 20th), a major announcement is expected on the 19th, either regarding Japan's official apology or action, or the Blue House's decision to cancel the visit to Japan.

A senior Blue House official stated in a written briefing on the morning of the 19th, "Currently, both countries are in consultation, but the results are still insufficient, and there has been no satisfactory action from the Japanese side regarding the obstacles to the summit that emerged at the last minute," adding, "It is uncertain whether the visit and summit can be realized." The 'obstacle to the summit' refers to the serious disrespectful remark made by Charg? d'Affaires Soma on the 16th during a meeting with domestic journalists, in which he compared President Moon's diplomacy toward Japan to 'masturbation' (self-defense). Furthermore, the 'satisfactory action by Japan' is interpreted as an official announcement regarding the disciplinary action against Charg? d'Affaires Soma. Although Japanese media previously reported Soma's dismissal, the Japanese government has neither officially announced it nor notified the Blue House.

Park Soo-hyun, the Blue House Communications Chief, emphasized on the radio that morning the necessity for the Japanese government to make an official announcement regarding the disciplinary action against Charg? d'Affaires Soma. Park said, "If the Japanese government's official (disciplinary) position is conveyed, it might be a response to our president's goodwill and dignified diplomacy." Meanwhile, considering Japan's application of a 3-day self-quarantine for overseas arrivals, the delegation must depart by the 20th at the latest, making the 19th the deadline to decide whether to proceed with the visit.

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