Japan apologizes to S. Korea for occupation

August 11, 2010|Associated Press

TOKYO — Japan apologized yesterday to South Korea for its colonial rule over the country, seeking to strengthen ties between the two countries ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Japanese annexation of the Korean peninsula.

During Japan’s occupation from 1910-45, many Koreans were forced to fight as front-line soldiers, work in slave-labor conditions, or serve as prostitutes in brothels operated by the military. Older Koreans still remember atrocities committed by Japan, and the issue remains sensitive decades later.

“For the enormous damage and suffering caused by this colonization, I would like to express once again our deep remorse and sincerely apologize,’’ Prime Minister Naoto Kan said in a statement approved by the Cabinet.

The statement apologized specifically to South Korea, in contrast to earlier apologies by Japan for wartime actions made broadly to the country’s Asian neighbors.

Seoul accepted the apology, although President Lee Myung-bak does not plan an official response, said presidential spokesman Cho Hyun-jin.

“We hope that through proper recognition and reflection of the unfortunate history, close bilateral relations can further develop into a partnership for the future,’’ said Kim Young-sun, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman, in a statement.