Press Briefing
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Cho Tai-young
Dec. 26, 2013 16:00 KST


Let me start today’s briefing.

[Q&A]

Q: To my knowledge, the ROK and Japanese governments have worked together to hold a vice-ministerial strategic dialogue. Do you think Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine today will affect the strategic dialogue?

A: In short, I don’t think this is the time to talk about the matter.

Q: First Vice Minister Kim Kyou-hyun just summoned Japan's deputy chief of mission in the ROK and lodged a protest. What exactly did he say to the Japanese deputy chief and what position did the Japanese side express?

A: First Vice Minister Kim delivered the ROK government’s stern position on Prime Minister Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, as specified in the Statement announced today by the Spokesperson of the ROK government.

Q: I will ask a basic question. What is the difference between a statement by the Spokesperson of the government and a statement by the Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry? What meaning does it have to announce a statement by the Spokesperson of the government?

A: The fact that the ROK government announced a statement by the Spokesperson of the government on Prime Minister Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine clearly shows that the government considers the issue to be very serious.

Q: Prime Minister Abe said today that he also visited another facility which enshrines fallen foreign soldiers, who have not been housed in the Yasukuni Shrine, and that his visit to the Yasukuni Shrine was to show that the country will not engage in war again. What do you make of this?

A: The ROK government’s position on Prime Minister Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine is all in the Statement by the Spokesperson of the ROK government, which was already announced.

Let me add one thing. I cannot help but ask “why he had to go there to swear not to engage in war.”

Q: After his visit to the Yasukuni Shrine today, Prime Minister Abe said that he would explain the reason for the visit to China or the ROK himself. His comment seems to indicate that he wants to hold a summit. What is the ROK government’s position?

A: In short, it is not understandable that he visited the Yasukuni Shrine, while saying that he is open to dialogue and he has an open-minded attitude. You should think who is creating an obstacle.

Q: The ROK Ambassador to Japan may have lodged a protest with the Japanese side. How did he do so? Or does he plan to do so?

A: I haven’t heard that he lodged a protest yet.

Q: Can you tell us how he will do so and what he will tell the Japanese side?

A: The ROK Ambassador to Japan is also planning to deliver the ROK’s stance to the Japanese side.

Q: To my understanding, the Foreign Ministry is operating a task force on military sexual slavery victims by Japan. How will the ROK government respond to the Japanese government regarding history issues?

A: The ROK’s position is all in the Statement by the Spokesperson of the ROK government, announced today.

Let me stress that part once again. The Statement says “If Japan truly wants to actively contribute to world peace, it is most important for the country to build trust by feeling deep remorse and apologizing to the governments and people of neighboring countries which suffered pain during Japan’s militaristic aggression and colonial rule, while getting rid of a wrong view of history that denies its history and glorifies aggression and facing up to history.” I believe that if Japan takes such attitudes, there won’t be a problem that cannot be solved.

Q: Instead of such a rhetorical expression, doesn’t the ROK government have any plans to take specific action?

A: That is not just a rhetorical expression.

Q: Today marks the one year anniversary of the inauguration of the Abe administration. It seems that Prime Minister Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine today to coincide with the anniversary. What is the ROK government’s assessment of the ROK-Japan relations for the past one year? Also, as seen in Prime Minister Abe’s statement today, he seems to want to meet President Park Geun-hye in person to explain his thoughts. What are your prospects for a ROK-Japan Summit and bilateral relations?

A: Instead of assessing the ROK-Japan relations for the past one year and make predictions about the future of the relations, let me repeat what I said moments ago. I cannot help but ask back what on earth it means to visit the Yasukuni Shrine, while saying that he is open to dialogue and he has an open-minded attitude.

Q: Did the Japanese side notify the ROK government of its plan through diplomatic channels prior to Prime Minister Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine today? If it did, how did the ROK government respond to the plan?

A: The Japanese government notified us of the plan through diplomatic channels shortly before the visit. As soon as the ROK side was notified of the plan, it made it clear on the spot that Prime Minister Abe should never visit the Shrine.

Q: I have a further question. You said that the ROK side was notified of the plan shortly before the visit, which occurred at 11:30 a.m.. How much time do you mean by shortly?

A: The notification was not early enough.

Q: In addition to the visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, there seems to be a debate underway between the ROK and Japanese governments over what is true regarding the supply of bullets to the Hanbit Unit. Japan even disclosed a video conversation with a general of the Hanbit Unit and said that it had received a request for bullets from the ROK, which seems to be causing some trouble between the two countries. What is the ROK government’s position?

A: First of all, I do not agree with your expression “there is a debate on what is true.” In my last briefing, I clearly told you what the ROK government’s position is and what measures the government took. Let me repeat that again. The ROK side asked the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for support to strengthen its self-defense capability. The ROK side received bullets through UNMISS. It is nothing more and nothing less. There is no need to connect the issue with another one.

Q: The ROK government is the current chair for the ROK-China-Japan trilateral cooperative mechanism. To my understanding, it has worked to hold a trilateral summit. What impact do you think the recent visit to the Yasukuni Shrine will have on the ROK-China-Japan trilateral cooperative mechanism? There is not much time left until the end of the year, so I think it would be difficult to hold the summit this year. However, I’d like to know which country will serve as the chair next year.

A: I am wondering if this is the time to discuss such issue you mentioned.

Q: Another question. You, Spokesperson, just said that “this is not the time.” Then, does it mean that you think the visit to the Yasukuni Shrine will have an impact in anyway?

A: I believe that you must clearly understand what I mentioned moments ago. Please think carefully who created this situation where I cannot help but say “today is not the time to discuss the issue.”

Q: To my knowledge, the ROK government’s position on Japan’s proactive pacifism has been that the government is not opposed to it in peacekeeping activities led by the UN. The Statement by the Spokesperson of the ROK government announced today made a negative comment on Japan’s proactive pacifism. Please explain the ROK government’s position on that.

A: I wonder if it is really necessary to explain it in detail. It is all stated in the last part of the Statement: If Japan truly wants to actively contribute to world peace, it is most important for the country to face up to history, feel deep remorse and build trust, period.

Q: Some are saying that the Japanese government is promoting its proactive pacifism by providing bullets to the Hanbit Unit. What is the ROK government’s position?

A: As I already said, the Unit made the request to UNMISS and received the bullets through UNMISS. There is nothing more and nothing less. Connecting the issue to another one is neither necessary nor appropriate.

Q: First, did the ROK government communicate with China and the US before announcing the Statement? Second, did the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae and President Park make any reaction? Please tell us, if you could.

A: On your first question, it was an announcement by the ROK government on its thoughts and positions in response to Prime Minister Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine. On your second question, I don’t think that I, Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, am in a position to answer it.

Q: Concerning Japan’s provision of bullets, there were press reports that the ROK side “expressed strong regret, saying that Japan is using the issue politically.” Please verify the reports. Some Japanese people are expressing dissatisfaction, saying that the ROK government “did not show appreciation” for Japan’s provision of bullets. I’d like to know if the ROK government expressed its gratitude to the Japanese side for that.

A: I think it would be appropriate to inquire with a ministry responsible for the matter for details. I have already given an answer to the issue today again and again.

If you don’t have any further questions, I will conclude today’s briefing.

*unofficial translation