Presidential Office: "No Prior Consultation Among Aides on Kishida's Historical Remarks"

Discussion on Extended Deterrence among Korea-US-Japan after Establishing Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group
Fukushima Inspection Team to Hold Working-Level Talks Next Week, Dispatch Scheduled This Month

The Presidential Office stated on the 7th that regarding Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s first indirect expression of regret toward the victims of Japanese colonial rule, "There has been no consultation or prior coordination between the aides of Japan and South Korea on historical issues before the summit between the two leaders or the meeting." Prime Minister Kishida expressed regret at the joint press conference held immediately after the Korea-Japan summit, saying, "I am deeply saddened by the painful and sorrowful experiences of many people who had to work under difficult circumstances at that time."

A Presidential Office official said at a briefing held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that afternoon, "We believe that Prime Minister Kishida prepared his own perception and remarks shortly before coming to Korea and voluntarily made the statement," adding this.

First, the government reorganized the stance on Korea-Japan historical issues that successive cabinets have clarified over decades, and then the Presidential Office attached significance to the official Japanese position on the solution to the forced labor issue announced by our government on March 6. Prime Minister Kishida expressed that he fully inherits the Japanese government’s position, including the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Joint Declaration announced in October 1998, and mentioned, "The Japanese government’s position will not waver going forward."

Furthermore, the Presidential Office interprets that in order for Korea-Japan relations to move toward the future, they have proposed jointly reflecting on historical issues, engaging in self-reflection if necessary, and promising the future by jointly visiting Hiroshima. The official explained, "I was impressed that many people, while not forgetting the painful memories of the past, opened their hearts toward the future," and added, "I think the many people mentioned here refer to the bereaved families of forced laborers who accepted the court rulings."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida agreed at the summit that they would pay respects at the memorial for Korean atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima during the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit to be held in Hiroshima this month.

After hearing Prime Minister Kishida’s remarks on historical issues during the small-scale meeting, President Yoon reportedly said, "South Korea did not initiate or demand this issue first, but I appreciate the sincere stance shown first, and I believe this will greatly help future Korea-Japan cooperation," according to the official.

Regarding the investigation into the treatment of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant mentioned by President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida, the official said, "The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to release its investigation report on the Fukushima contaminated water treatment around the end of June," adding, "However, considering the special relationship with South Korea and the exceptional concerns and interest of the Korean people, Japan has agreed to accept a specialized inspection team from Korea on a one-on-one basis." The official further added, "Consultations will be detailed starting next week, and I think dispatch is possible within this month."

Regarding Prime Minister Kishida’s lack of response to questions about discussions on Fukushima seafood at the joint press conference, the official said, "It was not included on the agenda, and there was no exchange of discussions, so I think Kishida did not respond."

He continued, "If there is an opportunity to discuss (Fukushima seafood), it will likely be approached with the same stance as the Fukushima contaminated water issue. It will be discussed as a way to alleviate public anxiety and must be verified objectively and transparently," adding, "For now, the Fukushima contaminated water treatment issue is the immediate task, so I think both countries will focus on this first."

Regarding whether Japan will be included in the Washington Declaration and the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) agreed upon with U.S. President Joe Biden during President Yoon’s state visit to the United States, the official explained, "After the Korea-U.S. NCG is established and activated, additional discussions on extended deterrence among Korea, the U.S., and Japan can proceed," and added, "Please understand that the newly formed NCG itself is not being expanded to three or four parties at this time."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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