The ruling and opposition parties criticized for "diplomatic failure."pressure to resign

The ruling and opposition parties all criticized 'diplomatic failure'
Pressuring the resignation of the Minister..."Including a future course of action in the words of responsibility"
" to convey regret and concern to UNESCO...Communicate with Japan".

[Anchor]
The National Assembly criticized the ruling and opposition parties for "diplomatic failure" over the fact that they agreed to Japan's listing of Sado Mine as a World Heritage Site and eventually missed the promised memorial service for the victims.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol said, "I feel responsible," followed by pressure to resign.

Reporter Hong Sun-ki reports.

[Reporter]
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol, who attended the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said he felt responsible for the absence of the Sado mine memorial service.

[Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol: I would like to say that I feel responsible as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for not being able to carry out our claim in consultations with Japan regarding the Sado mine memorial service and having to decide not to attend the memorial service at the last minute]

At the same time, Japan continued to explain that it was largely responsible for not keeping its promises, but criticism poured out that it was a diplomatic failure.

The ruling and opposition parties criticized that it was a humiliating diplomacy that failed to properly protest even after being stabbed in the back by Japan.

[Yoon Sang-hyun / People's Power: You keep saying that you feel responsible, but if you feel responsible, do you just call the Japanese embassy in Korea and say a word?]]

[Yoon Hoo-deok / Democratic Party member: (Already) responded too slowly, and he did humiliating diplomacy again, and responded with low voice, and this public opinion was intensifying.]

{How are you going to take responsibility?'' There were also voices of pressure to resign, and Minister Cho replied that he was going to take responsibility.

However, he drew a line on the possibility of voluntary resignation by saying that he would comply with the decision of the personnel authority.

[Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol: What will you be responsible for?] I will take any responsibility. (What kind of responsibility includes responsibility for the job?) You'll judge that. (You can express your intention first, right?) It's all included in the saying that you feel responsible.]

In connection with the absence of the memorial service, Minister Cho said that foreign ministry officials have explained and expressed regret for Japan's breach of promise to UNESCO.

At the same time, he emphasized that he would communicate with Japan so that it would not affect the overall relationship between Korea and Japan, making it clear once again that the issue of past history and the improvement of relations between Korea and Japan are separate.

This is YTN Hong Seon-gi.

Reporter: Lee Sang-mo