A government that can't even express its regret, let alone protest...the growing theory of diplomatic responsibility

[Anchor]
The Japanese government said it was regrettable that the Korean government did not attend the Sado Mine memorial service, but the Korean government has not even expressed regret, let alone protested to Japan.

The theory of diplomatic responsibility is growing, with criticism from both ruling and opposition parties.

Reporter Hong Sun-ki reports.

[Reporter]
The Korean government, which did not attend the Sado mine memorial ceremony hosted by the Japanese side, revealed the background of holding a separate memorial event with the bereaved families.

It is an event to express a firm determination not to compromise with the Japanese side regarding past history.

However, there was no explanation for the fact that the date of the memorial ceremony was set without agreement with the Japanese side on attendance or eulogy, and the bereaved families were taken to Japan.

On the contrary, the Japanese government's spokesman, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, expressed regret over our absence, but the Korean government has not expressed regret, let alone protested.

Criticism is mounting that the situation is a diplomatic failure amid the government's cautious attitude.

It is pointed out that the warship was also stabbed in the back by Japan and repeated the same mistake when it was registered as a World Heritage Site.

[Lee Jae-myung / Minjoo Party leader: It will go down as the worst diplomatic history in which the Korean government itself justifies Japan's colonial rule.]

Even in the ruling party, the floor leader directly urged the diplomatic authorities to reflect on themselves at the top.

[Choo Kyung-ho / People's Power Floor Leader: We regret that our government's requirements have not been properly reflected, and we believe that humbling reflection and inspection are also needed to see if this result was due to the complacent attitude of our diplomatic authorities.]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, is worried that the hard-won restoration of Korea-Japan relations will deteriorate again, saying it will continue to strive for the development of Korea-Japan relations that are in both countries' interests.

[Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol / Appearing on MBN on the 23rd: I believe that the two countries should make efforts not to interfere with the overall flow of bilateral relations, and I will continue to consult with the Japanese diplomatic authorities in that regard.]

While Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol is on a business trip abroad, the diplomatic responsibility theory is growing, which is expected to deepen the troubles of the foreign authorities.

This is YTN Hong Seon-gi.

Reporter: Lee Sang-mo
Video editing: Ma Young-hoo
Design: Im Saetbyul