South Korea President Calls for Ties with Japan in Speech Marking Anniversary of Country's Liberation from Japanese Rule
'Guided by the principle of pragmatic, national interest-focused diplomacy, we will seek forward-looking, mutually beneficial cooperation with Japan while holding frequent meetings and frank dialogue through shuttle diplomacy,' Lee said.
For the first time since becoming president, Lee is set to visit Japan on Aug. 23-24 and meet with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Regarding historical issues between the two countries, Lee said, 'I hope that the Japanese government will squarely face up to our painful history and strive to maintain trust between the two countries.'
As for North Korea, Lee emphasized the importance of restoring trust to ease tensions, expressing hope that Pyongyang will reciprocate Seoul's efforts.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Mainichi
13 minutes ago
- The Mainichi
Japan lodges protest with S. Korea over marine survey near disputed islets
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese Foreign Ministry said Saturday it has lodged a "strong protest" with South Korea over suspected maritime research near islets in the Sea of Japan that are controlled by Seoul but claimed by Tokyo. Japan protested on Friday after confirming a South Korean survey ship had lowered what appeared to be a wire in "Japanese territorial waters" off the islets, called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, the ministry said. The islets are "clearly an integral part of Japanese territory both in light of historical facts and international law," the ministry said. A similar suspected survey by South Korea was spotted in August last year.
2 hours ago
China Urges Japan to Make Right Choice
Beijing, Aug. 15 (Jiji Press)--Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, announcing on Friday the country's position regarding the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, urged Japan to make the right choice. Remembering the past can help avoid straying onto the wrong path, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee, told a press conference held after his meeting with foreign ministers from Mekong River states, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. International documents such as the Potsdam Declaration clearly defined Japan's responsibility for the war and required it to return territories including Taiwan to China, Wang said. However, some in Japan are attempting to glorify its invasion and distort history, he said, calling such actions a challenge to the postwar international order. Also on Friday, Liu Jinsong, director-general of the Chinese ministry's Department of Asian Affairs, summoned Akira Yokochi, the No. 2 official at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, and protested against visits to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine by cabinet ministers of the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and others on the day, which marked the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
The Mainichi
3 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Victims of Philippine battles remembered on 80th anniv. of end of WWII
CALIRAYA, Philippines (Kyodo) -- The Japanese Embassy in the Philippines held a ceremony Friday to remember all those who suffered and died in the fierce battles that took place in the Southeast Asian country under the Japanese occupation during World War II, which ended 80 years ago. Around 250 participants, mostly Japanese nationals but also several Philippine government officials, observed a moment of silence, and offered flowers and prayers during the ceremony held at the Japanese Memorial Garden in Caliraya, Laguna province south of Manila. The Japanese occupation started in 1942 and by the time Japan surrendered to the U.S.-led Allied Powers on Aug. 15, 1945, the battles in the Philippines had resulted in the deaths of 1 million Filipinos and more than 500,000 Japanese. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba sent messages to the ceremony, expressing their condolences and calling for peace. Foreign Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ducrocq became the first ranking Philippine government official to attend the annual event in several years and read Marcos' message. "I recall the spirit of reconciliation from which was born, in one generation, the deep friendship and affection between two peoples once torn apart by war," the president wrote. Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo underscored the broadened scope of strengthened Philippine-Japan ties since the war ended, adding "We report this progress to the spirits of those who perished, honoring the remarkable journey we have taken together, overcoming a harsh history to achieve this friendship and cooperation." Referring to the ongoing wars of today, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, Endo said, "We must deeply engrave in our hearts the devastation of war and the preciousness of peace, ensuring that the memories of these tragedies are never allowed to fade and that this legacy is passed on." Ishiba's message, which was read by Endo, saw the Japanese prime minister pledge that his government will ensure the return of the remains of the Japanese war dead to their homeland. He also said people of Japanese descent living in the Philippines, mostly the offspring of Japanese fathers who moved to the country before and during the war, would be allowed to obtain Japanese citizenship.
