Kishida visits Seoul as differences cast shadow

TOKYO/SEOUL — Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Seoul on Sunday to meet the Republic of Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol, facing a skeptical public as the leaders seek to restart their so-called shuttle diplomacy for deeper ties.

Kishida's two-day visit, the first by a Japanese leader to Seoul in 12 years, returns the trip Yoon made to Tokyo in March, in which they sought to close a chapter on the historical disputes that have dominated Japan-ROK relations for years.

It came as dozens of ROK citizens gathered on Saturday to protest Kishida's trip, saying that Japan's wartime animosities must top the agenda at Sunday's summit.

Kishida "must sincerely apologize for Japan's crimes against humanity and fulfill its responsibilities", said demonstrator Kim Jae-won.

"Cooperation and coordination between the ROK and Japan are essential not only for the common interests of the two countries, but also for world peace and prosperity in the face of the current severe international situation," Yoon said in opening remarks at their meeting.

Speaking to reporters at a briefing after meeting with Yoon, Kishida said: "For me personally, my heart hurts when I think of the many people who endured terrible suffering and grief under the difficult circumstances of the time."

The East Asian neighbors have long been at odds over historical issues linked to Japan's brutal 1910 to 1945 colonial occupation of the Korean Peninsula, including sexual slavery and forced labor.

The focus of the summit is likely to revolve around security cooperation, Shin-wha Lee, a professor of international relations at Seoul-based Korea University, told Reuters. "Within the framework of the 'Washington Declaration', which outlines plans to strengthen extended deterrence, Korea (ROK) will explore ways to enhance the collaborative efforts with Japan," she said.

Historical issues

The majority of ROK citizens believe Japan hasn't apologized sufficiently for atrocities during Japan's occupation, Lee said."They think that Prime Minister Kishida should show sincerity during his visit to ROK, such as mentioning historical issues and expressing apologies," she said.

Kishida has invited Yoon to the G7 summit set for later this month in Japan and will hold trilateral talks with the US on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, a majority of residents in Japan are opposed to the country's aggressive defense outlays, or the government's tax hike plan to finance them, a recent local media poll has shown.

About 80 percent of respondents disapproved of Kishida's call to finance a portion of defense spending by taxes, the survey conducted by national news agency Kyodo showed Saturday.

The reading further expanded from the 64.9 percent rate reported in a similar opinion poll at the end of last year.

Agencies - Xinhua