Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reiterated his harsh criticism of the South Korean national assembly speaker's call for the Emperor to apologize over the issue of so-called comfort women.
The criticism exchanged on this issue, triggered by the remarks of speaker Moon Hee-sang, has developed into a new source of controversy between Japan and South Korea.
Speaking at a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting on Wednesday, Abe said: "Many [Japanese] people were surprised and felt angry [at the remarks]. The remarks are completely inappropriate. [The speaker] has repeatedly made similar comments since then, and it is extremely regrettable."
South Korea confirmed that the issue of comfort women was resolved "completely and irreversibly" in an agreement that the two countries reached in 2015 under the administration of President Park Geun-hye. In the agreement, the Japanese side expressed Abe's "feelings of apology and remorse" toward the victims.
During the Wednesday meeting, Abe said, "If a promise between two countries is overturned only because of a change in government, the bilateral relationship will fail," indicating his intention to continue to demand through diplomatic channels Seoul's apology for the comments in question and their withdrawal.
According to South Korea's Yonhap New Agency, Moon, who was visiting the United States, expressed his intention on Tuesday not to apologize or withdraw his remarks. "It's not something I should apologize for," Moon was quoted as saying.
Moon also said "a heartfelt apology" is necessary, adding with the Japan-South Korea agreement in mind, "Even if there are several dozens of agreements, what will [Japan and South Korea] do with them? I mean that [Japan] should continue to apologize until it receives the final forgiveness of the victims."
On Wednesday, Fukushiro Nukaga, the head of a group of Japanese lawmakers working to promote ties with South Korea, met with South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon in Seoul and strongly protested Moon's remarks. He also sought an appropriate response from Seoul regarding recent rulings by the South Korean Supreme Court ordering Japanese companies to pay compensation to former Korean wartime requisitioned workers.
Lee, who is in charge of the issue of wartime requisitioned workers, told Nukaga that South Korea does not want to further damage the bilateral relationship and will seriously consider measures to cope with these issues, according to sources. However, the prime minister did not mention the issues in detail.
South Korean lawmaker Kang Chang-il, the head of the Japanese group's counterpart, was also present at the about 80-minute meeting.
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