Kim Ki-hyun expresses "deep regret" over Japanese lawmaker's visit to Yasukuni Shrine

Urging Japan to Adopt a Sincere Attitude

Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, expressed "deep regret" over the collective visit of Japanese lawmakers to the Yasukuni Shrine.

On the afternoon of the 21st, after the 'Comprehensive Measures on Narcotics Control Party-Government Council' held at the National Assembly, Kim responded to reporters' questions regarding the 'collective visit of Japanese lawmakers to the Yasukuni Shrine' with this statement.

Kim Ki-hyun, Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim emphasized, "I believe Japan must make sincere efforts to heal the wounds of the past," and urged "Japan to adopt a sincere attitude."

According to Kyodo News and others on the same day, about 90 Japanese lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties visited the Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida offered a tribute called 'Masakaki' in the name of 'Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.'

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a spokesperson's statement saying, "The government expresses deep disappointment and regret over the repeated offerings and visits by responsible Japanese leaders to the Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past invasion war and enshrines war criminals." The statement also urged, "We call on responsible Japanese leaders to face history squarely and demonstrate humble reflection and genuine remorse for the past through their actions."

Meanwhile, regarding questions about Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member who has entered self-reflection due to the controversy over his remarks on the Jeju 4.3 incident, Kim Ki-hyun drew a line by saying, "I don't think I am the right person to answer that."

The party's Ethics Committee, which can consider disciplinary actions against some Supreme Council members including Kim, is scheduled to be launched on the 24th. Kim explained, "The process of appointing members took a bit longer to ensure greater diversity and verifiable fairness and neutrality," adding, "I expect it to be launched around Monday (the 24th)." The Ethics Committee will be composed of up to nine members, with at least two-thirds of the members, including the chairperson, being external figures. Attorney Hwang Jeong-geun has been appointed as the chairperson.

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