Abe panel report angers Koreans

Japanese leader urged to apologize for colonial rule, sex slavery

By Kang Seung-woo

A report from an advisory panel for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s war anniversary statement has reignited public anger here over Tokyo’s controversial stance on its wartime atrocities.

Based on the report, Abe will write a statement to be issued on Aug. 14 to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The report, however, only mentioned Japan’s wartime aggression without an apology.

This prompted strong protest from the Korean government as well as scholars awaiting an apology for Japan’s wartime wrongdoings, including the sexual enslavement of Korean women -- the main impediment to improving bilateral ties.

Worse, the report stated that the Korean government has “emotionally” dealt with history-related issues.

“The report runs counter to the Japanese government’s declarations that it will carry forward the perception of history drawn up by the country’s previous cabinets,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday, referring to the Murayama and Kono statements.

The statements, named after former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono and former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, are a clear apology to sexual slavery victims from before and during World War II.

“Furthermore, some parts of the report show one-sided and far-fetched views on postwar Seoul-Tokyo relations, and are not at all helpful for reconciliation between the people of the two nations,” the ministry said.

Diplomatic experts said the Abe speech means a backpedaling from previous landmark statements.

“The advisory report fell short of Korea’s expectations, given that it legalized Japan’s colonial rule, failed to note an apology and shifted blame onto Korea for the frayed bilateral relations,” said Jo Yang-hyeon, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, Friday.

“Compared with previous statements, the Abe speech has regressed in the perception of history.”

Lee Won-deog, an international politics professor at Kookmin University, said, “I do not believe the report is based on an extreme-right perspective, but it shows no consideration for Korea, which suffered from Japan’s aggression.

“We had expected the report to press Abe to uphold the position on the historical recognition outlined by previous administrations, but it seems to rather support his political stance.”

Citizens, disappointed at the report, urged Japan to face up to history for rapprochement between Seoul and Tokyo.

“Abe should have the right perception of history and make a heartfelt apology for Japan’s wartime atrocities, or the bilateral diplomatic relations will not get back on track,” said Jung Ji-ahn, a bank clerk in Seoul.

U.S. congressmen are also urging Abe to take advantage of the opportunity to resolve the sex-slave issue.

According to the Yonahp News Agency, Friday, California Rep. Mike Honda of the Democratic Party, who has long been at the forefront of efforts to get Japan to admit and apologize for sexual slavery, said Prime Minister Abe should not lose the historical opportunity to apologize to victims.

New York Rep. Charles Rangel, another Democrat, also said he was disappointed over Abe not apologizing for the “comfort women” in the latter’s speech to the U.S. Congress in April, wanting him to do the right thing in his war anniversary statement.

The Seoul government has urged Abe to stop his actions to whitewash Japan’s dark past and sees the planned statement as a yardstick for whether President Park Geun-hye will hold a summit with Abe.

“Whether the statement will contain an apology depends on Abe’s political decision, but given that he ordered the panel report to set the cause for his perception of history, it is not likely to feature an apology,” Jo said.

Lee said: “The Prime Minister is likely to just acknowledge its wartime aggression instead of deep remorse over colonial rule.”