By Jun Ji-hye
The leader of the ruling party demanded an apology Monday from Japanese right-wingers alleged to have made insensitive remarks about Japan’s past militarism.
“Right-wing Japanese politicians, who made reckless remarks, have to immediately apologize to victims and countries that have been damaged by their militaristic past,” said Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party.
Tensions between Seoul and Tokyo arose last week after Toru Hashimoto, the mayor of Osaka and co-leader of the nationalist Japan Restoration Party, attempted to justify Japan's use of foreign sex slaves during World War II.
Speaking at the party’s supreme council meeting in the National Assembly, Hwang said some thoughtless politicians are seeking to distort history.
“In particular, they ignored the human rights of women, universal values around the world, and denied its past wrongdoings. This shocked people all over the world,” he said referring to sexual slavery.
The chairman stressed that the most serious problem is the entire Japanese government, not just a small number of absurd politicians. He blamed the Japanese government for living in constant denial about the fact that they invaded other countries.
“They keep refusing to apologize to victims of their misdeeds, but they will have to be aware that the international community is observing their behavior closely to see if they break off the agreement made during the post war period,” he said.