Lee Jae-myung "Yoon Seok-yeol Couldn't Say a Word to Japan but Tries to Criticize Moon Government..."

Yoon: "The Moon Jae-in Government's Four Years of Korea-Japan Relations Have Deteriorated to the Utmost... Will Take Steps to Improve"
Lee: "Please Understand the Historical Context and Be More Careful in Remarks Related to Japan"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (left), and Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, directly criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party candidate, who said, "The past four years of Korea-Japan relations under the Moon Jae-in administration have deteriorated to the worst. If I become president, I will start improving Korea-Japan relations by reaffirming the 'Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration.'" Lee asked, "Have you read the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration?"

On the 12th, Lee stated this on his Facebook, saying, "Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks misunderstand cause and effect."

He said, "President Kim Dae-jung did not say to overlook the past and move forward, but rather that Korea could only move toward the future when Japan is evaluated as having 'properly recognized the past.' The Japan of today is not the Japan of the time when the Obuchi Declaration was made. It has become much more right-wing."

He continued, "Since Abe's administration, the Japanese government has said 'there will be no more apologies.' Yet, while criticizing the government without saying a word about resolving past issues and apologizing for the comfort women issue, Yoon mentions the historic achievements of DJ (Kim Dae-jung)."

He added, "Japan, which says not to ask about the past, is laughing. If not, why would Japanese media welcome Yoon Seok-yeol as having 'recognized (right-wing Japan) as a neighbor'?" He raised his voice, saying, "As with other matters, especially regarding Japan, I hope remarks are made with an understanding of historical context and with greater caution."

Earlier, on the 11th, Yoon said on his Facebook, "We cannot move our neighbor called Japan to another place on the globe. Whether we like it or not, we need the wisdom to live together." He added, "If I become president, I will immediately work on improving Korea-Japan relations after taking office."

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