Park Jin on Japan's Security Document Revision Push: "They Should Explain to Us"

Grandmother Yang Geum-deok's Award Controversy: "Not Opposed to the Award Itself"
"If Elected as a Non-Permanent Security Council Member, Will Prioritize Women and Peace Agenda"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Foreign Minister Park Jin stated regarding the revision of the so-called ‘three major security documents,’ which Japan is expected to decide soon, that “Japan will explain the contents to us.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Park made these remarks on the 15th when he met with reporters while leaving the venue after attending the ‘4th International Conference on Peace with Women’ hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul, in response to questions about the revision of Japan’s security documents.

The Japanese government is expected to decide on the 16th to revise the three major security documents?the National Security Strategy, the Mid-Term Defense Program, and the Defense Equipment Program?in a direction that explicitly includes counterstrike capabilities to attack enemy missile launch bases.

The South Korean government has expressed the position that discussions surrounding changes in Japan’s defense and security policies should be conducted transparently in a way that adheres to the spirit of the Peace Constitution and contributes to regional peace and stability.

Minister Park also emphasized regarding the recent postponement of awarding a medal to grandmother Yang Geum-deok, a victim of forced labor, due to procedural issues raised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that “it can be reconsidered at any time, and we are not opposed to awarding the medal itself.”

He said, “When such matters arise, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety should consult the opinions of related departments, but we (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) were completely unaware. Since it is a medal awarded at the government level, the opinions of government agencies should be heard and coordinated.”

Meanwhile, in his opening remarks at the ‘4th International Conference on Peace with Women’ on the 15th, Minister Park stated, “If South Korea becomes a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024?2025 term, we will put the WPS (Women, Peace, and Security) agenda at the forefront,” adding, “South Korea aims to strongly advocate for women’s human rights as a global pivotal state.”

He emphasized, “Even at this very moment when we meet today, conflicts and crises are escalating, and women and girls often bear the greatest impact of these shocks,” adding, “Supporting these women is a moral obligation.”

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