South Korea-Japan relations meet on the rocks of the 'Memorial Ceremony' ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations

[Anchor]
The absence of the Sado Mine memorial ceremony has led to a red light for the improvement of Korea-Japan relations, which is considered one of the biggest diplomatic achievements of the current administration.

Ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, diplomatic authorities are emphasizing that past history and improvement of Korea-Japan relations are separate in embarrassment, but some predict that they will not be able to go separately from public sentiment.

Reporter Hong Sun-ki reports.

[Reporter]
When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its decision not to attend the Sado Mine memorial ceremony, the official position, which came out before expressing regret or protest, should not affect the overall relationship between Korea and Japan.

They are concerned that the improvement of Korea-Japan relations, which is considered the biggest diplomatic achievement of the current government, will be ruined by the absence of the memorial service.

However, just like when the warship was registered as a World Heritage Site, the warship was also stabbed in the back by Japan, which did not abate the criticism of humiliation diplomacy.

[Yoon Hoo-duk / Democratic Party of Korea (last 28th): (Already) responded too slowly, humiliating diplomacy again, low-key, this kind of public opinion was intensifying.]

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol came to the National Assembly and said he felt responsibility, but emphasized that he decided to meet with the Japanese foreign minister to communicate so that there would be no impact on Korea-Japan relations.

[Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol (On the 28th): (Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister) We agreed to maintain close communication with Japan so that the issue raised by the Sado mine memorial service will not affect the overall relationship between Korea and Japan, as there are many important issues such as cooperation to prepare for the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan next year.]

The government has consistently emphasized that it will not compromise with Japan over the issue of past history, but has drawn the line that improving relations between Korea and Japan is separate.

Experts point out, however, that it is not as easy as it sounds to proceed with the two separately.

Is it possible to focus on improving relations with Japan while ignoring the public sentiment hurt by Japan's attitude toward past history?

[Choi Eun-mi/Asan Institute of Policy Studies: Considering that the historical issue does not affect other areas, the disappointment and outrage that the Korean people must have felt this time will not go away easily.]

In the end, Japan should show a sincere change in its attitude on the issue of past history, but it is difficult to expect much from the consultation process of the Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony.

Rumors of Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba's visit to Korea early next year are also circulating, but without mentioning the past, it could be counterproductive, which is expected to deepen the agony of diplomatic authorities preparing for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

This is YTN Hong Seon-gi.