S Korean presidential candidate loves Japan but demands wartime labour apology

[thomas]

The presidential candidate of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party says that a solution to wartime labour compensation issues can be found if Japan makes a "sincere apology." While the wartime comment is probably meant for domestic consumption, he has nice words for Japan, too:

At a news conference with foreign media in Seoul, Lee Jae Myung also disputed media reports that paint him as a hard-liner due to his past remarks, saying they are based on misunderstanding and that he respects Japan as a country. "I'd like to say that I love Japanese people because I had very heartwarming experiences during my past visits to Japan," the former governor of Gyeonggi Province said. Lee added that if elected, he would seek a "path that would help each other" because South Korea and Japan are "geographically close and in an interdependent relationship."

Japan apology needed to solve wartime labor issue: S Korean presidential candidate

The presidential candidate of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party says that a solution to wartime labor compensation issues can be found if Japan makes a "sincere apology," but did not offer a concrete plan to solve the issues that have aggravated bilateral relations. At a news conference with...

japantoday.com

SKorea governing party candidate takes softer line on North

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The South Korean governing party's presidential candidate said Thursday he will continue a conciliatory approach toward North Korea if elected and questioned the effectiveness of U.S.

apnews.com

 

[Lothor]

Although I sympathise with the view that previous apologies have not been particularly sincere, I don't think that asking for a sincere one is helpful.

 

[mdchachi]

Although I sympathise with the view that previous apologies have not been particularly sincere, I don't think that asking for a sincere one is helpful.

Not helpful for international relations but maybe helpful for getting the domestic votes he's chasing.

 

[thomas]

Although I sympathise with the view that previous apologies have not been particularly sincere, I don't think that asking for a sincere one is helpful.

It's simply something they are compelled to say when running for office, just like the LDP ritual of visiting Yasukuni.