Japan, South Korea leaders in historic Hiroshima visit
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South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (second from left), Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and their wives pay their respects during a visit to a memorial near the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Sunday.
PHOTO: AFP
HIROSHIMA - Japan’s and South Korea’s leaders made a historic visit on Sunday to a memorial for Koreans killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima,
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, joined by their wives, laid white bouquets at the stone memorial and bowed side by side at the site.
The visit came on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit, to which Japan has invited several non-member nations, including South Korea.
It is the first time leaders of the two countries have jointly visited the memorial, and only the second time a Japanese prime minister has done so.
“This will be remembered as a courageous action by Prime Minister Kishida that paves the way for a peaceful future while expressing grief for the Korean victims of the atomic bombing,” Mr Yoon said at the top of a bilateral meeting after the memorial visit.
It is the latest step in their careful diplomatic dance to achieve a long-awaited thaw in ties.
Tokyo and Seoul, both key United States allies, have long been at odds
But the countries’ leaders have made active efforts to restore soured ties since Seoul announced a plan to compensate those affected by wartime forced labour, without Tokyo’s involvement.
They have resumed regular high-level talks, with Mr Yoon in Tokyo in April and Mr Kishida travelling to Seoul earlier in May,
The two leaders have faced criticism and scepticism from conservatives at home for their engagements.
But Mr Kishida’s remark in Seoul “significantly resonated among the public” in South Korea, Mr Yoon said on Sunday. His “courage and decision to show a genuine and heartfelt attitude are very important”, he added.
Mr Kishida also welcomed the thaw in ties, and said the stepped-up pace of meetings “demonstrates the progress of the Japan-South Korea relationship”. AFP
