Japan's leader makes a farewell visit to Seoul and reaffirms sympathy for Korean colonial victims
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has visited Seoul and reaffirmed sympathy for the suffering of Koreans during Japan’s colonial rule, as he and his South Korean counterpart Friday underscored the need to maintain warming ties between the Asian neighbors
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Less than a month before leaving office, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Seoul and reaffirmed sympathy for the suffering of Koreans during Japan’s colonial rule, as he and his South Korean counterpart Friday underscored the need to maintain warming ties between the Asian neighbors.
Since early last year, Kishida and conservative South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have worked together repair ties badly frayed over grievances stemming from Japan’s brutal 1910-45 occupation of the Korean Peninsula. As a result, the two countries revived high-level talks and withdrew reciprocal economic restrictions imposed due to wrangling over Koreans forced to work for Japanese companies during the colonial period.
But now, experts say challenges lie ahead after Kishida's departure.
“It's important to uphold the efforts by our predecessors to overcome difficult periods and cooperate with the Republic of Korea for the future,” Kishida said at the start of a meeting with Yoon, according to Yoon's office.
