Government Expresses "Deep Disappointment and Regret" Over Japanese Ministers' Repeated Yasukuni Shrine Visits

"Urging to Show 'Humble Reflection and Genuine Repentance Through Actions'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The government expressed regret over the successive visits by members of the Japanese Cabinet under Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to Yasukuni Shrine on the 15th, the day marking the end of the Pacific War (Japan's defeat day).

In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson on the same day, the government said, "We express deep disappointment and regret over the Japanese government leaders once again offering tribute and repeatedly visiting Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past aggressive war and enshrines war criminals."

It continued, "We urge responsible Japanese officials to demonstrate humble reflection on history and genuine remorse through their actions, and emphasize that such an attitude is the foundation for building a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship and gaining the trust of neighboring countries."

According to Kyodo News, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga offered tribute at Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 Class-A war criminals are enshrined, on the same day. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Koichi Hagiuda visited Yasukuni Shrine in person that morning.

Earlier, on the previous day, Nobuo Kishi, Japan's Defense Minister and younger brother of former Prime Minister Abe, and Economic Revitalization Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura visited Yasukuni Shrine.

There were no visits by Japanese ministers to Yasukuni Shrine from 2017 to 2019. However, in 2020, four officials including Environment Minister Koizumi visited the shrine, drawing backlash from South Korea and China.

On the afternoon of the 14th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Naoki Kumagai, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of Japan in Korea, to the Ministry to lodge a stern protest regarding the shrine visits.

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