Former Prime Minister Abe Memorial Altar Visited by Park Jin: "I Intended to Visit Japan to Seek Advice from Abe"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] On the morning of the 11th, Foreign Minister Park Jin visited the domestic memorial altar for former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and stated, "If a visit to Japan takes place this time, I had thought to meet former Prime Minister Abe and receive various good advice."

After paying respects at the memorial altar for former Prime Minister Abe set up at the Public Affairs and Cultural Center of the Embassy of Japan in Jongno-gu, Minister Park told reporters about his connection with Abe, saying, "I have met him before through past Korea-Japan parliamentary friendship activities."

Minister Park visited the domestic memorial altar for former Prime Minister Abe before it was opened to the public. Naoki Kumagai, the Charg? d'Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Korea, welcomed Minister Park.

He said, "Everyone was shocked by the shooting and death of former Prime Minister Abe," and added, "In the condolence book, I wrote that I express deep condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family who lost Abe Shinzo, the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese constitutional history who left a great mark on Japanese political history, and to the Japanese people."

Regarding the impact of former Prime Minister Abe's death on Korea-Japan relations, Minister Park emphasized, "Korea and Japan are very important cooperative partners sharing democracy and market economy," and said, "We will work to improve bilateral relations with the belief that the restoration of Korea-Japan relations aligns with our mutual interests."

About his visit schedule to Japan, he said, "Considering Japan's domestic circumstances, I expect the visit to Japan will take place at a mutually convenient time."

Regarding the Korea-Japan Private-Public Council for Victims of Forced Labor under Japanese Rule, launched on the 4th, Minister Park said, "Through the private-public council, we are listening to and gathering opinions from related parties and experts," and added, "I expect this will greatly help in seeking desirable solutions for improving Korea-Japan relations."

Meanwhile, when asked about reports linking the shooting incident of former Prime Minister Abe to the Unification Church and how communication with the Japanese side is proceeding, Minister Park replied, "There is no such thing."

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