SEOUL, June 16 (Yonhap) – North Korea’s Foreign Ministry is calling on Japan to squarely face its past and offer a sincere apology as the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II approaches. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a director of the Institute for Japanese Studies at the Foreign Ministry issued a statement criticizing the Japanese government’s consideration of releasing a message on the occasion.
The statement, released on June 16th, asserts that addressing historical issues is an inescapable moral obligation for Japan as a war criminal state. It urges Japan to confront its past transgressions and offer a genuine apology for its wartime actions.
The North Korean Foreign Ministry official stated, Clearing historical legacy issues is an unavoidable moral responsibility for Japan, a war criminal state. We urge Japan to face history squarely and offer a sincere apology.
The statement further accuses Japan of attempting to evade accountability for its past atrocities under the guise of ending apology diplomacy. North Korea argues that any attempt by Japan to gloss over its historical wrongdoings on the 80th anniversary of its defeat is an unforgivable crime and an insult to the Korean and Asian people who continue to suffer from the wounds of the past.
Japan claims to the international community that it will end ‘apology diplomacy’. Trying to muddle through the historical issues of the 80th anniversary of the defeat is an eternal crime that the Japanese Empire can never escape, and it is also a mockery of the Korean and Asian people who suffer from incurable pain, the statement reads.
The statement also criticizes the ambiguity of the Japanese Prime Minister’s position on the issue, claiming that he is attempting to appease domestic divisions over apology diplomacy by expressing personal opinions. North Korea further alleges that Japan has consistently adopted a hostile policy towards North Korea since its defeat, refusing to acknowledge its guilt or provide compensation, and posing a grave threat to North Korea’s sovereignty, right to development, and right to survival.
This statement comes amidst ongoing tensions between North Korea and Japan, fueled by historical grievances, territorial disputes, and North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. The call for Japan to confront its past and apologize is a recurring theme in North Korean rhetoric, reflecting the deep-seated resentment and mistrust that persists between the two nations.
The Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun was mentioned in the original report, although the context of the mention was not provided. Further information regarding the Sankei Shimbun‘s coverage of this issue would be necessary to fully understand its relevance.
Conclusion:
North Korea’s demand for a sincere apology from Japan on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II underscores the enduring legacy of historical grievances in the region. This statement highlights the complex and often fraught relationship between North Korea and Japan, and serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing historical issues in the pursuit of reconciliation and lasting peace. Further developments and responses from the Japanese government will be crucial in understanding the future trajectory of this relationship.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2024, June 16). 朝鲜促日在战后80周年谈话中正视历史并道歉 [North Korea Urges Japan to Confront Past, Apologize in 80th Anniversary Statement]. Retrieved from [Insert URL if available, otherwise omit]
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