Japan Ignores Key Measures, Expresses Regret Over Absence at Memorial
Korean Government Responds Carefully, Without Expressing Regret
The Japanese government is blaming the Korean government for the memorial service at Sado Mine turning into a “half-hearted event.” Despite Japan’s insincere stance towards the memorial service, which was attended by the bereaved families of Korean victims, the Korean government did not express regret or take proactive measures. As the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan approaches next year, the Korean government’s restraint is seen as an effort not to disrupt its policy of prioritizing Korea-Japan relations, leading to growing criticism.
Japanese government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi stated at a press conference on the 25th, “It is regrettable that the Korean side did not participate in the Sado Mine memorial.” He further commented, “In light of Korea’s decision to hold its own event despite local preparations, we requested careful review and response from the Korean side regarding the event’s response and its content.”
This is the first time a central figure in the Japanese government has mentioned Korea’s absence from the Sado Mine memorial in a press conference. The crux of the issue is Japan’s lack of consideration for Korean victims and their families in both content and form of the memorial service. Despite this, Japan described the event as “courteously prepared and held.” At the memorial on the previous day, there was no mention of forced labor or any apologies, and a government representative with a history of visiting the Yasukuni Shrine spoke not as a ‘memorial speech’ but as a ‘guest greeting.’ The official gathering, where bereaved families were present, included remarks congratulating UNESCO registration, which sparked dissatisfaction from Japan over Korea’s decision not to attend.
Notably, Japan defended the deployment of Akiko Ikina, a Deputy Minister-level official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating, “The decision was made by comprehensively assessing the situation, and we believe there was no problem.” Japan’s Kyodo News had previously reported that Ikina visited the Yasukuni Shrine, where A-class war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined, shortly after her election as a House of Councillors member in August 2022, which it later acknowledged as an erroneous report only after Korea held its own memorial service.
The Korean government has responded with extreme caution regarding the Sado Mine memorial. On the 23rd, after deciding not to attend, the government explained, “There wasn’t enough time to resolve differing views between the two countries’ diplomatic authorities, making it challenging to reach an acceptable agreement before the memorial.” On the 25th, following Kyodo News’s correction, the Korean government elaborated, “The memorial’s content did not meet the original agreement level when Sado Mine was registered,” as one of their major considerations. However, as of the 26th, the Korean government has not expressed regret.
While both the opposition and ruling parties criticize this passive handling, the government is reportedly contemplating the intensity of its response, considering worsening public opinion. The most severe diplomatic protest could involve ‘recalling diplomatic envoys,’ though such action is deemed unlikely as it could rapidly strain bilateral diplomatic relations.
Despite criticisms of “humiliating diplomacy,” both nations agree on maintaining the narrative of “developing bilateral relations” as they strive to improve Korea-Japan relations. In the Biden administration, the trilateral cooperation among the U.S., Korea, and Japan became feasible due to Korea and Japan’s efforts for reconciliation. As concerns arise over the weakening of the trilateral system with the advent of the new Trump administration, any fracture in Korea-Japan relations could undermine their cooperation. The presidential office has stated, without an official position, “ROK-US, ROK-US-Japan cooperation will continue as is.”
Reporter: Choi Eun-ji