Aju Press - Asia News Hub

Journalist

Latest by

Musician Reveals Ancestry as Descendant of Notorious Pro-Japanese Collaborator Jeon Beom-seon, the vocalist of the band 'Yangbandeul,' has recently shed light on his lineage as a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator, prompting a reevaluation of his family's history.In April, Jeon, who studied history, revealed on a YouTube channel that his great-great-grandfather was Lee In-jik, a notable pro-Japanese figure and the first author of modern Korean novels.On August 13, during an appearance on the YouTube channel 'Mae Bul Show,' Jeon discussed how he learned about his ancestry, stating, "I had no idea when I was young. I developed an interest in history in high school, where the curriculum emphasized it. As I studied history, I realized that the U.S. military government played a role in establishing the Republic of Korea. To understand modern Korean history, I needed to learn about the U.S., which led me to study American history. I found that to fully grasp American history, I had to go to England, where I completed my master's thesis on the American Revolution."Jeon graduated from Minjok Leadership Academy and earned a bachelor's degree in history from Dartmouth College, followed by a master's degree from Oxford University. While studying in the U.S., he learned about Dr. Homer Hulbert, who contributed to Korea's modernization and anti-Japanese movements, and was inspired to intern at the Hulbert Memorial Association.One day, while researching Hulbert, Jeon's mother entered his room and said, "I know you are studying history, but do you know your family background?" She revealed that he was a descendant of Lee In-jik. Jeon expressed his shock, saying, "I knew Lee In-jik as the author of 'Blood and Tears,' but my mother told me he was not just a pro-Japanese collaborator; he was a significant pro-Japanese figure." Lee In-jik is Jeon's maternal great-great-grandfather.Jeon noted, "My mother had never shared this with me before. It was something she was ashamed of. I was deeply shocked by her words." He also mentioned that Lee In-jik abandoned his Korean wife to remarry a Japanese woman, making Jeon a descendant of that Korean wife.Jeon stated, "Lee In-jik was a prominent pro-Japanese figure who remarried a Japanese woman and converted to Japanese religion. He abandoned not only his country but also his family. My mother lived her life without ever speaking of this shame."This revelation has been a significant trauma for Jeon. He said, "Since then, I have sought out all the books written by Lee In-jik. I wanted to understand why he abandoned his family and country. My book, 'Jeon Beom-seon's Korean History Therapy,' was also an effort to overcome the trauma of being a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator."Despite this, Jeon admitted, "I could not include Lee In-jik in my book, as there are still unresolved issues regarding him."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 18:20:20
Kim Jong Un Emphasizes Strengthening North Korea-Russia Friendship Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, visited the Liberation Tower on August 14 to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation, laying flowers in honor of the Soviet soldiers. Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a congratulatory message, highlighting the friendship between the two nations. The Korean Central News Agency reported on August 15 that "Dear Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Liberation Tower on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the homeland." The tower, located in Pyongyang, serves as a memorial for Soviet soldiers who died fighting against Japanese forces in 1945. Kim was accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae and his wife Ri Sol-ju during the visit. According to the report, Kim stated, "The excellent history and tradition, as well as the blood ties between North Korea and Russia, serve as the fundamental cornerstone and immense driving force for the friendly cooperative relationship between our two countries today. The great friendship and unity between the peoples of our two nations, forged through noble ideology and genuine combat camaraderie, will be firmly inherited and developed across generations alongside a new era of comprehensive flourishing." Since the signing of a treaty establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024, Kim has visited the Liberation Tower each year on this date. Under this treaty, if one country faces military aggression, the other is obligated to provide military assistance. Following this agreement, North Korea began deploying combat troops and engineers to support Russia in the Ukraine conflict starting in October 2024. President Putin also sent a congratulatory message to Kim, celebrating the 80th anniversary of liberation. He remarked, "Today, the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang has reached an unprecedented level of comprehensive strategic partnership. Our countries are actively cooperating in all areas and aligning efforts to ensure regional security and stability." He emphasized, "I am confident that we will continue our constructive joint efforts on urgent bilateral and international issues for the welfare of the Russian and Korean peoples and to establish a more just and truly democratic world order." Putin's mention of joint efforts likely refers to North Korea's military deployments to Russia. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 18:08:00
Koyote's Baekga Reveals He is Descendant of Independence Activist Jin Hee-chang Baekga of the group Koyote has revealed that he is a descendant of independence activist Jin Hee-chang, drawing attention.On August 15, he posted content on his YouTube channel to commemorate Liberation Day, stating, "In fact, my great-grandfather was an independence activist," and added, "I have never mentioned this to our members, with whom I have worked for over 20 years."He shared that his late mother often told him, "Our family is one of the descendants of independence activists. Always live with pride and never feel inferior wherever you go."Regarding why he had never disclosed this information before, he explained, "I was very cautious about mentioning my great-grandfather's name, fearing it might seem like I was riding on his achievements. His dedication was too great and heavy to be treated as a point of pride for me."Baekga expressed a desire to help financially struggling descendants of independence activists. He said, "I have heard that descendants of independence activists often live in difficult economic conditions. In the past, I was not in a position to help anyone, but now I can. I want to offer assistance to those who are in need among the descendants of independence activists."He described his great-grandfather, Jin Hee-chang, as an independence activist who supported the finances and operations of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea while it was in Shanghai, explaining, "He went into exile in Shanghai in 1911 after the Gyeongsul Treaty."He added, "He obtained a position as a supervisor at a tram company run by the British in Shanghai, working during the day while also providing secret accommodations and funding for independence fighters fleeing from Korea to Shanghai. He played a role similar to that of a base camp in Shanghai."Baekga further noted, "During the provisional assembly meetings, he participated in establishing the name 'Republic of Korea' and drafting the provisional constitution as a democratic republic, marking a significant moment in the history of our nation."He also mentioned that Jin Hee-chang's name appears in the latter part of 'Baekbeom Ilji' by Kim Gu, stating, "It is written that comrades like Jin Hee-chang did not give me a hard time and helped me."Jin Hee-chang dedicated himself tirelessly to the provisional government and the independence movement, passing away in Shanghai in February 1933 without witnessing Korea's liberation. Baekga noted, "In 1980, the government posthumously awarded him the Order of Merit for National Foundation."In conclusion, he expressed, "We owe our existence today to the sacrifices of countless independence activists and martyrs who fought for our country's independence, often without leaving their names behind or quietly dedicating everything they had. I extend my deep respect and gratitude to those independence activists and martyrs who sacrificed everything to restore the light of our homeland." 2026-08-15 18:04:00
OPINION: Can today's needs outweigh history in Korea-Japan relationship? Eighty-one years after liberation, South Korea and Japan have learned how to work together without having settled how to remember the past. That may be the most revealing measure of their relationship today. For Koreans, Aug. 15 marks liberation from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. For Japan, the same date marks the end of World War II — a day to mourn the dead, reflect on the destruction of war and reaffirm the country's postwar commitment to peace. The histories overlap. The memories do not. Leaders of Seoul and Tokyo this day both spoke of the future. Both showed a degree of restraint. Both also revealed, through carefully chosen words and conspicuous omissions, how differently they believe the past should accompany them into that future. North Korea and Russia spent the same anniversary invoking the struggle against Imperial Japan not as difficult history to be managed, but as a source of legitimacy for their rapidly deepening relationship. The contrast says much about the new strategic landscape of Northeast Asia. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung devoted significant attention to cooperation with Japan in his Liberation Day address. He noted that the two governments had pursued active shuttle diplomacy over the past year and “laid the foundation for trust,” while expanding cooperation in supply chains, energy and advanced industries. But Lee did not present better relations as evidence that history had been settled. “For the achievements made so far to continue without disruption, there must, above all, be steadfast trust between the peoples of our two countries,” he said, while acknowledging victims and bereaved families who continue to live with the wounds of the colonial period. Lee did not say historical disputes must first be resolved before Seoul can cooperate with Tokyo. Nor did he suggest that strategic and economic necessity should consign those disputes to the past. His message was more pragmatic - cooperate now, but recognize that the durability of that cooperation ultimately rests on trust and that history remains one of the tests of that trust. Lee was effectively arguing that the two must be attempted simultaneously. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi approached Aug. 15 from a markedly different direction. At Japan's National Memorial Service for the War Dead, she emphasized the country that emerged after 1945. Japan, she said, had “consistently pursued peace in the postwar period” and contributed to global prosperity. “Japan can play an important role in resolving various issues confronting nations,” she said, adding that the country could become “a shining beacon in the Indo-Pacific that others could rely on.” She also pledged that Japan would never repeat the ravages of war. The undertone was clear but should not be overstated. Takaichi did not repudiate Japan's previous positions on its wartime past. Her address stopped short of an explicit break with the broader historical positions taken by previous governments. But she shifted the emphasis. Rather than dwell on what Imperial Japan had done before 1945, her language centered on what postwar Japan had become: peaceful, prosperous and increasingly prepared to play a larger role in the Indo-Pacific. The most telling word was one she did not use. Takaichi omitted hansei, or remorse. Her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, had restored the word to the annual address last year after an absence of 13 years, saying Japan must “take deeply into our hearts once again our remorse and the lessons learned from that war.” Takaichi retained the lesson — never repeat the ravages of war — but not the explicit expression of remorse. Emperor Naruhito, speaking at the same memorial ceremony, continued to use substantially stronger language about history. “While reflecting on the long years of peace since the war and looking back on the past with deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the scourges of war will never be repeated,” the emperor said. He has retained the language of “deep remorse” in his annual memorial remarks since ascending to the throne in 2019. Japan does not possess a single view of its wartime past, just as South Korea does not speak with one voice about how far historical grievances should determine relations with Tokyo. The more meaningful question is which interpretation political leaders choose to emphasize. On this Aug. 15, Lee placed the victims, their continuing wounds and the need for trust inside his argument for future cooperation. Takaichi acknowledged the tragedy of war but placed greater emphasis on Japan's postwar achievements and future regional role. Both looked forward. They looked backward differently. Takaichi refrained from visiting the shrine herself, avoiding a step that would almost certainly have caused greater diplomatic friction. But she sent a ritual offering in her capacity as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and three other Cabinet ministers visited the shrine, along with senior LDP officials. Yasukuni honors Japan's war dead, but it also enshrines 14 wartime leaders convicted as Class-A war criminals, including wartime Prime Minister Hideki Tojo. That has made visits by senior politicians a recurring source of anger in South Korea and China, which suffered under Imperial Japan's colonial rule and wartime aggression. Seoul responded sharply. The Foreign Ministry said it could not conceal its regret over what it called “anachronistic acts that ignore history” and urged responsible Japanese leaders to “face history squarely” and demonstrate “humble reflection and sincere remorse” through their actions. The Defense Ministry separately protested Koizumi's visit, saying a sitting Japanese defense minister paying respects at the shrine ran directly counter to efforts to build bilateral relations based on trust. Koizumi himself described his action very differently. “I renewed my pledge to renounce war and continue fulfilling the responsibility of Japan, which has consistently made strides as a peace-loving nation since the end of the war,” he said after the visit. That juxtaposition captures much of the unresolved difficulty between the two countries. A Japanese politician may regard a visit to Yasukuni as mourning the dead while reaffirming peace. Many Koreans see a senior government official — particularly a defense minister — paying respects at a shrine that also honors convicted wartime leaders and interpret the act through the history of colonization and aggression. South Korea cannot reasonably demand that Japanese people stop mourning their war dead. Japan cannot reasonably assume that 81 years have stripped symbols associated with wartime leadership of their meaning to the people once subjected to its colonial rule. As Seoul and Tokyo were carefully choosing how to speak about a war that ended 81 years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were drawing directly on the memory of that same conflict to reinforce their present-day partnership. In his Liberation Day message to Kim, Putin said Moscow-Pyongyang relations had reached an “unprecedentedly high level of comprehensive strategic partnership.” He invoked the Korean and Soviet struggle against Imperial Japan as the historical foundation of that relationship, describing the wartime experience as a period in which traditions of “comradeship and mutual support” were forged. Russia and North Korea have strengthened ties since signing their comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June 2024, bringing their military relationship close to the level of a security alliance. North Korea subsequently sent forces to support Russia's war in Ukraine, according to the reporting material. Pyongyang's own Liberation Day commemorations reinforced the same narrative. North Korea's Rodong Sinmun devoted its pages to Kim Il Sung's anti-Japanese armed struggle and the regime's account of liberation. Kim Jong Un visited the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery and later the Liberation Tower in Pyongyang, where he honored Soviet soldiers who fought against Japan. A wreath in his name declared: “We do not forget the feats of the Soviet Army martyrs.” South Korea and Japan are trying, however imperfectly, to stop history from dictating their future. North Korea and Russia are using history to bind their futures together. The strategic environment therefore creates a peculiar pressure on both Seoul and Tokyo. South Korea has strong reasons to deepen cooperation with Japan while continuing to insist that historical accountability matters. Japan has strong reasons to preserve relations with South Korea while debating internally how much of its wartime responsibility should remain explicit in contemporary political language. The danger begins when pragmatism is mistaken for historical closure. Relations built only on common interests can weaken when those interests change. Relations sustained only by diplomatic management remain vulnerable whenever Yasukuni, wartime labor or another unresolved historical issue returns to public attention. Trust is harder to construct than cooperation. Governments can agree to cooperate because circumstances demand it. Trust asks societies to believe that the behavior of the other side will remain credible even when immediate political incentives change. History inevitably enters that calculation. Tokyo, for its part, has a legitimate case that the Japan of 2026 should also be judged by what the country has done during eight decades since the war, rather than exclusively by what Imperial Japan did before 1945. But postwar achievement and historical responsibility need not compete. Indeed, Japan's claim to be the peaceful and dependable Indo-Pacific nation that Takaichi described becomes stronger, not weaker, when its leaders can speak confidently about both. For Seoul, the corresponding challenge is to ensure that remembrance does not become an automatic veto on cooperation. The wounds of colonial rule are real. So are the interests of younger generations whose security and prosperity will depend on decisions made in a Northeast Asia very different from that of 1945. Remembering the past does not require living in it. The two neighbors do not need identical memories. Such a demand would be unrealistic and perhaps undesirable. South Korea will commemorate liberation. Japan will mourn its war dead and mark the destruction that accompanied defeat. What matters is whether their different memories can coexist without repeatedly destroying the trust required for the future. Eighty-one years have produced civility. Strategic necessity is reinforcing it. The unfinished work is turning that civility into trust. *The author is the managing editor of AJP. 2026-08-15 18:02:21
Gwangju Mayor Park Kwan-yeol: Today's Freedom and Prosperity Built on Noble Sacrifices Gwangju Mayor Park Kwan-yeol emphasized on Liberation Day that "today's freedom and prosperity are a precious legacy built on the noble sacrifices of our forebears."On this day, Mayor Park made his remarks during the '81st Liberation Day Celebration' held at the city hall's Suwon Hall, attended by over 400 people, including local lawmakers, city council members, Lee Kang-se, head of the Gwangju chapter of the Korean Liberation Association, and members of veterans' organizations.Mayor Park reiterated the importance of reflecting on the historical significance of liberation with citizens and expressed his commitment to advancing Gwangju into a "greater Gwangju" by inheriting the independence spirit of the forebears.Before the celebration, Mayor Park visited the March 1st Independence Movement Monument to pay tribute to the noble sacrifices of the patriots who dedicated themselves to restoring national sovereignty.The subsequent celebration featured opera and musical performances themed around national liberation, sharing the meaning of liberation with the attendees. There was also a moment to honor individuals who contributed to regional development and the spirit of patriotism.After listening to commemorative speeches from the head of the Gwangju chapter of the Korean Liberation Association and other dignitaries, attendees sang the Liberation Day song and shouted "Manse" together, sharing the joy of liberation.In his address, Mayor Park highlighted liberation as a valuable historical foundation that has made today's freedom and prosperity possible.He stated, "I hope this gathering serves as a meaningful time for all citizens to reflect on the true meaning of liberation and unite for the proud future of South Korea and the advancement of a greater Gwangju."This reflects Mayor Park's vision of connecting regional development and a citizen-centered future with historical values, encouraging everyone to remember past sacrifices while working together to shape the future.Moreover, the atmosphere among citizens celebrating Liberation Day was particularly vibrant.Citizens who attended the event honored the noble sacrifices of the forebears with the national flag and reflected on the precious meaning of liberation.By participating in the Liberation Day song and shouting "Manse," they internalized the importance of the nation and shared the joy of liberation.Additionally, the event, attended by multiple generations, showcased how citizens naturally shared the historical significance.Mayor Park announced plans to operate a special exhibition of 'Dokdo photos and historical maps' in the city hall lobby throughout August, aiming to make the history and significance of Dokdo accessible to citizens.This exhibition will display historical materials and maps of Dokdo, allowing citizens and visitors to explore its historical value and enhance their understanding of history.Meanwhile, Mayor Park hopes that this Liberation Day event will serve as an opportunity for citizens to remember the history of the independence movement and the sacrifices of the forebears, while also considering the future of the community and the nation. 2026-08-15 17:36:00
Weather Forecast: Heavy Rain Expected Across South Korea on Sunday On Sunday, August 16, South Korea will experience mostly cloudy weather, with heavy rain expected particularly in the southern regions and Jeju Island. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on August 15, rain will fall across the country, including Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Daejeon, Sejong, Daegu, Busan, and Ulsan. The expected precipitation by August 17 is as follows: 20 to 60 mm in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, the five western islands, and inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon; 5 to 40 mm on the eastern coast of Gangwon; 20 to 60 mm in Daejeon, Sejong, South Chungcheong, and North Chungcheong; 50 to 100 mm in Gwangju, South Jeolla, Daegu, North Gyeongsang, and Jeju; 30 to 80 mm in North Jeolla; and 50 to 150 mm in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang. The southern coast of South Jeolla and areas near Jirisan Mountain are expected to receive over 150 mm, while the mountainous regions of Jeju could see more than 200 mm. Morning low temperatures on the 16th are forecasted to range from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs expected to be between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius. The anticipated low temperatures in major cities are: 24 degrees in Seoul, 24 degrees in Incheon, 22 degrees in Chuncheon, 23 degrees in Gangneung, 23 degrees in Daejeon, 23 degrees in Daegu, 23 degrees in Jeonju, 23 degrees in Gwangju, 23 degrees in Busan, and 25 degrees in Jeju. The expected high temperatures are: 30 degrees in Seoul, 30 degrees in Incheon, 29 degrees in Chuncheon, 26 degrees in Gangneung, 27 degrees in Daejeon, 26 degrees in Daegu, 28 degrees in Jeonju, 28 degrees in Gwangju, 26 degrees in Busan, and 29 degrees in Jeju. Air quality is expected to be 'good' across all regions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 17:28:00
President Yoon's Liberation Day Speech Criticized by Opposition Rep. Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol's Liberation Day speech on August 15, calling it a "declaration of giving up on the people." In response, the ruling Democratic Party described the criticism as an unreasonable political attack that frames the government's vision as a failure. After attending the Liberation Day ceremony at the Sejong Center, Jang posted on Facebook, stating, "President Yoon's August 15 speech is a declaration of giving up on the people." He questioned, "He suggested we lower mutual threats but said nothing about North Korea's nuclear development and missile tests. When have we ever threatened North Korea?" He added, "Proactive and continuous peace measures ultimately mean we will disarm ourselves." Park Seong-hoon, a senior spokesperson for the party, also commented, noting that just days earlier, North Korea had conducted ballistic missile provocations in the East Sea, directly threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula. He pointed out that the speech contained no firm warnings or effective deterrents against North Korea's military provocations. He expressed concern over the insensitivity to the serious security reality. In response, Jeon Soo-mi, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a written briefing, "Stop the unreasonable political attacks that frame the government's vision as a failure." Jeon expressed deep regret over Jang's unfortunate rhetoric that turned the significant national occasion of Liberation Day into a stage for blind criticism, calling the main opposition party's attempts to undermine a grand vision to turn crises into opportunities petty and irresponsible. He emphasized, "True security starts not from blind confrontation but from controlling the possibility of armed conflict and institutionalizing peace," urging the People Power Party to abandon its irresponsible promotion of security anxiety. Jeon also highlighted that what the public desires is not obstruction for the sake of opposition but responsible politics that unites in the face of national challenges. He concluded by stating that the Yoon administration and the Democratic Party will achieve a 'Liberation of Hope' that rises from the frustrations of growth, a 'Liberation of Opportunity' that overcomes inequality, a 'Liberation of Balance' that ensures equitable development across the nation, and a 'Liberation of Peace' that removes the threat of war.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 17:16:00
People Power Party Criticizes President for Dismissal of Trade Chief The People Power Party criticized President Lee Jae-myung for the dismissal of Yeo Han-goo, the Chief Trade Negotiator at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, calling it an "irrational" operation of the government. In a statement on the 15th, spokesperson Jo Yong-sool questioned, "Is it acceptable to leave a key position responsible for negotiating with foreign countries vacant without even disclosing specific reasons?" Jo pointed out that the Lee administration had promised a $350 billion investment in the U.S. without public consensus last year and is now facing pressure from the U.S. to expedite its implementation. He noted, "Yet, the very person responsible for those negotiations has been dismissed without any explanation." He further stated, "The government remains silent, citing the judgment of the appointing authority without revealing specific reasons for the dismissal. What secret are they trying to hide? The Lee administration must clearly explain to the public why they replaced the trade chief in the midst of U.S. trade negotiations without any alternatives." Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reformist New Party, also commented on Facebook, stating, "There are reports of pressure regarding U.S. investments coming from the Trump administration, and in the midst of this, the government has dismissed Chief Yeo. Regardless of the reasons for the dismissal, this action is bound to be misunderstood by the U.S." He urged the government to promptly appoint a successor to the Chief Trade Negotiator to ensure there is no gap in U.S. negotiations, warning that any disruption in U.S. diplomacy could have a more severe impact on the South Korean economy than the recent turmoil in the stock market. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, President Lee dismissed Yeo at midnight on the same day. This unilateral dismissal of a civil servant is an unusual measure in political appointments, but specific reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 16:56:00
South Korea Condemns Japanese Officials' Visit to Yasukuni Shrine The South Korean government expressed strong disapproval on August 15 regarding the Japanese officials' offerings and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors war dead, including convicted war criminals. The Ministry of National Defense summoned Takeshi Nagayoshi, the Japanese defense attaché in South Korea, to protest against Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's visit to the shrine, the first by a sitting defense minister in two years.In a statement, the Foreign Ministry criticized the actions of Japanese leaders, stating, "We cannot help but express our dismay at the repeated offerings and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past invasions and enshrines war criminals, reflecting a retrogressive attitude toward history."The ministry urged Japanese leaders to confront history and demonstrate genuine reflection and remorse through their actions, emphasizing that this is crucial for building a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship based on mutual trust.Kim Hak-jo, the director of international policy at the Defense Ministry, conveyed strong objections to Nagayoshi regarding Koizumi's visit, expressing regret over the glorification of Japan's colonial past and aggressive wars associated with the shrine. Kim also stated that the defense minister's visit contradicts efforts to foster a future-oriented relationship based on trust between South Korea and Japan, expressing serious concerns over the implications. On this day, which marks both Korea's Liberation Day and Japan's defeat in World War II, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not visit the shrine but made an offering as the president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Four current ministers, including Koizumi, Hitoshi Kikawada, Kimiko Onoda, and Minoru Kiuchi, participated in the shrine visit, alongside key officials from the ruling party in an unusual group visit.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 16:12:10
South Korea Condemns Japanese Officials' Visit to Yasukuni Shrine The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Japanese officials' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, stating, "We cannot help but express our dismay."In a statement, the ministry said, "The government is dismayed by the actions of responsible Japanese leaders who continue to offer tributes or visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past invasion wars and enshrines war criminals, reflecting a retrogressive disregard for history."The ministry urged Japanese leaders to confront history and demonstrate genuine reflection and remorse through their actions, emphasizing that this is a crucial foundation for building a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship based on mutual trust.On this day, which marks both Korea's Liberation Day and Japan's defeat in World War II, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not visit the shrine but made a monetary offering in her capacity as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party.Four current ministers, including Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs Minister Hitoshi Kikawada, Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda, and Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Minoru Kiuichi, visited the Yasukuni Shrine. Key officials from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party also participated in a rare group visit.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-15 15:48:00