[South Korea-Japan Summit] Ruling Party: "A Decision Filled with Agony" vs Opposition: "No Nostalgia Trip Allowed"

Kim Ki-hyun "Prolonged confrontation harms both countries"
Jo Su-jin "Kishida should soothe the painful hearts of Korean people"
Tae Young-ho "Waiving claim for damages is a magnanimous decision"

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, evaluated the upcoming Korea-Japan summit on the 16th as "a breakthrough to overcome security and economic crises, and furthermore, a painful decision for the sake of our future generations."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, Kim said, "Whether we like it or not, Japan is not only a major economic partner but also a country with which we must cooperate in responding to the security threats posed by North Korea," adding, "Since close cooperation and joint response are urgently needed, prolonged confrontation and conflict would be detrimental to both countries."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is having a conversation with Jinwoo Sunim, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, during a visit to Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He also demanded a responsible attitude from Japan to resolve the issue of compensation for forced labor. Kim stated, "Japan, as a responsible member of the international community, must take serious and corresponding responsive measures."

He continued, "The Moon Jae-in administration did nothing," criticizing, "They were only eager to exploit anti-Japanese sentiment for domestic political purposes while singing only the 'Death March'." He added, "It should be clearly recognized that there are no citizens who will be deceived by irresponsible anti-Japanese agitation," and "Since this is the first summit between the two countries in 12 years, we will actively support it so that it can lead to substantial achievements."

Remarks from other Supreme Council members followed. Cho Soo-jin, a Supreme Council member, said, "This Korea-Japan summit, held as an initiative of President Yoon Suk-yeol, carries great significance in implementing the 1998 Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration," urging, "Prime Minister Kishida should humbly accept the historical fact that the Korean people suffered damage and pain, not with an indirect apology that inherits the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration, but with sincere reflection and a heartfelt apology to soothe the painful hearts of the Korean people."

Supreme Council member Tae Young-ho also said, "President Yoon Suk-yeol's decision to waive the right to claim damages is a magnanimous and great decision," adding, "Regarding the solution to the forced mobilization issue, the Yoon government has done its part by first presenting our solution from a position of strength."

On the other hand, the opposition party fiercely criticized the Korea-Japan summit as humiliating diplomacy.

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the party's policy coordination meeting that day, "This visit to Japan should not end as a nostalgic trip for President Yoon. Moreover, major issues between Korea and Japan, such as historical matters, should never be approached with domestic political calculations."

President Yoon emphasized in an interview with Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun published the previous day, "The fact that Prime Minister Kishida invited me like this and that I am visiting Japan itself is a great progress and achievement compared to the Korea-Japan relations so far."

In response, Floor Leader Park criticized, "Survivors of forced mobilization victims have officially rejected the government's solution, and the majority of our people oppose it, yet the President of the Republic of Korea seems to be worried only about Japan and trying to reassure them," adding, "It is puzzling that President Yoon's actions go against public sentiment despite knowing the strong opposition from the people."

He said, "The 'third-party compensation plan' is clearly a humiliating solution that throws away even the 'sincere apology' and 'acknowledgment of the coerciveness of mobilization' that Japanese war crime companies themselves included 12 years ago," and "President Yoon is visiting Japan today leaving all this behind."

Furthermore, he urged that through this visit to Japan, the Japanese government should be compelled to apologize and provide solutions, and that the four demands previously made by the Democratic Party should be put on the agenda and realized. On the 14th, Floor Leader Park presented the following as goals for this visit: ▲ postponement of the normalization of GSOMIA until Japan lifts export restrictions ▲ withdrawal of Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge plan ▲ cessation of territorial claims and reckless provocations over Dokdo ▲ and putting the issue of sovereignty over the 7th district south of Marado on the agenda.

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