S. Korea urges Japan to demonstrate commitment to past apologies

South Korea urged Japan on Saturday to take concrete steps showing its commitment to previous governments' apologies for Tokyo's imperialist past, saying it hopes to open a new future with the neighboring nation.

Marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Friday the position "articulated by the previous Cabinets will remain unshakable into the future." He did not offer a fresh apology of his own, saying "Japan has repeatedly expressed the feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for its actions during the war."

In 1995, then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama issued a landmark statement in which he expressed "deep remorse" and a "heartfelt apology" for the suffering his country caused to many nations, especially those in Asia.

Two years earlier, then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono acknowledged the military's involvement in forcing hundreds of thousands of Korean and other Asian women to work as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during the war.

Abe's statement revealed to the international community "the historical view with which the current Japanese government sees its past of colonial rule and aggression," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement released a day after the premier's speech.

South Korea, however, "takes note" of the fact that Abe upheld the position of previous Cabinets and will watch how Japan demonstrates that position through action, it said.

The ministry also urged the Japanese government "to work more actively" for the quick resolution of pending historical issues between the two countries, including the issue of the sex slaves.

South Korea has demanded that Japan acknowledge state responsibility for the sex slavery and properly compensate the 47 surviving South Korean victims, but Tokyo insists the issue was settled under a 1965 treaty that normalized bilateral ties.

"The government plans to continue its firm response to issues related to history, while continuing to strengthen cooperation on reciprocal areas such as the North Korean nuclear issue, the economy and society and culture as well as regional cooperation for the peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia," the ministry said. "Also, the government hopes that the Japanese government, as a neighboring nation, will join in on the journey to a new future based on the correct perception of history." (Yonhap)