1. The Government of the Republic of Korea cannot but deplore and be deeply disappointed over the fact that following Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who once again presented an offering to the Yasukuni Shrine on April 21, some other responsible politicians of Japan repeatedly paid tribute on April 22 at the shrine, a facility symbolizing and glorifying Japan’s forcible colonization and war of aggression.

2. Even today, 70 years after the end of World War II, responsible figures of Japan repeatedly make offerings to and/or pay respects at the Yasukuni Shrine, -- a symbol of Japan’s history of imperialist aggression -- which clearly demonstrates Japan’s ongoing failure to squarely face history.

3. With the year 2015 marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of the ROK-Japan relations, the Government of the Republic of Korea strongly urges Japan to show heartfelt remorse and apologize for its past wrongdoings and thereby meet the aspiration of the peoples of the two countries for the improvement in bilateral relations. 


               Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation