Japanese Foreign Minister Orders Soma Consul General to Return, Not a Disciplinary Action Despite 'Offensive Remarks'

▲ Motegi Toshimitsu, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed on the 10th that the order for Soma Hirohisa, Minister-Counselor at the Japanese Embassy in Korea, to return to Japan, following his controversial use of sexual expressions related to President Moon Jae-in, is not a disciplinary personnel action.

At a regular press conference that day, when asked whether the order for Soma's return was effectively a dismissal, Foreign Minister Motegi responded evasively, saying, "As of August 1st, he was ordered to 'return to the ministry' (Foreign Ministry reassignment)."

He added, "Regarding personnel assignments of overseas staff, as I have said before, we make timely and appropriate decisions considering the length of service at the post and overall staff rotation," thereby responding negatively to claims that this return order was disciplinary.

However, Foreign Minister Motegi reiterated his previous stance, saying, "Regardless of the circumstances or context, I deeply regret the very inappropriate remarks made as a diplomat."

▲Soma Hirohisa, Former Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of Japan in Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]

For Minister-Counselors serving at the Japanese Embassy in Korea, personnel transfers typically occur every two years, and Soma was assigned to Korea in July 2019, having completed a full two-year term when the problematic remarks were made.

Considering this, Motegi’s remarks on the day can be interpreted as acknowledging that Soma made inappropriate comments toward the host country’s leader, but that this personnel move is not disciplinary.

Previously, on August 1st, Foreign Minister Motegi ordered Soma, the Minister-Counselor, to return to Japan.

Usually, after completing service as Minister-Counselor at the Japanese Embassy in Korea and returning to Japan, one is promoted to a director position within the Foreign Ministry, but in Soma’s case, there is speculation that he may remain without a post for some time due to possible backlash from the Korean government.

On July 15th, during a conversation with a JTBC official, Soma caused controversy by using the term "masturbation" in relation to President Moon’s efforts to improve Korea-Japan relations.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also expressed regret, calling it "an extremely inappropriate remark for a diplomat."

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