Ambassador Choi returns to Japan

The government`s decision to return Ambassador Choi Sang-Yong to Japan Thursday has a close connection with the Japanese political timetable.

The Korean government has set a plan to repeat its demand that the next Japanese Cabinet revise the distorted history textbook. Therefore, it might be more advantageous for the government to prepare follow-up measures as the ambassador watches the process of the election of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president on Apr. 24 and ensuing inauguration of a new Cabinet on Apr. 26 on the very scene.

Believed to have played a role for the ambassador`s ``early`` return to his post is a judgment that the government`s earlier intention to have the Japanese side acknowledge the seriousness of the textbook distortion did work to some extent by bringing Ambassador Choi back home in a virtual form of recall.

Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade cited as evidence to their judgment the fact that Emperor Akihito viewed Korean`s creative opera ``Hwangjini`` Monday even in the absence of Ambassador Choi, who invited him, and Foreign Minister Yohei Kono sent a letter to Minister Han Seung-Soo on the same day.

As a consequence, the matter of concern is Choi`s activity in Tokyo.

Minister Han sent a reply to Kono through Choi, and it was learned that it does not contain any concrete demands by the Korean government because a precise analysis of the controversial textbook is yet to be completed around Apr. 23, and the government has not yet finalized its policy on the issue. Instead, Han said in the letter that Japan must take constructive measures because it cannot be a model country in the world without resolving the textbook issue, according to the ministry officials.

However, Han was learned to have instructed the ambassador to concentrate on rousing public opinion for the correction of the distorted textbook among the press, civic organizations and conscientious intellectuals, including conservatives of the ruling LDP, even before the government works out comprehensives measures.

Boo Hyung-Kwon bookum90@donga.com