President Roh Criticized for Speech Targeting Japanese Prime Minister

A subtle rift is growing between Korea and Japan because of President Roh Moo-hyun’s March 1 remarks which targeted Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

President Roh said, “I must advise the Japanese” and stressed that “Japanese’s moderation in making hurtful utterances to Korea will be helpful to both countries’ futures” on the 85th anniversary of the Independence Movement of March 1, 1919.

In his speech, President Roh stated that, “insensitive people or popularity-seeking politicians might say indiscreet comments, but the national leader must not say things like that.

“The national leader,” the phrase used by President Roh, is explained as Prime Minister Koizumi, who had said, “Hereafter, I will keep worshipping the shrine every year” on February 27.

In response, President Roh said, “the Japanese must not consider the unrest to have died down just because Korea and Korean politicians have not mentioned historical events; changes in the Japanese legal system; and unsolved problems” and urged that “to make Korea and the Korean government be moderate in starting problems, Japanese must make every effort.”

Even though the script for the speech, which was distributed by Cheong Wa Dae in advance, had not contained what President Roh said above, President Roh amended the script and added it personally that morning.

In relation to the relocation of the Yongsan base, President Roh evaluated it that, “The symbol of the ‘Intervention,’ ‘Invasion,’ and ‘Dependence’ will fall to the independent Republic of Korea” and said, “The Korean-army-centered security system will be established soon.”

Continuing, President Roh stressed, “We Koreans have enough power to protect our independence. Do not say pro-America or anti-America. Pro- or anti-America cannot be the standard used to appraise us.”

Also, President Roh emphasized national unification, saying, “Let’s construct a reconcilable wisdom to cure the all wounds caused by the conflicts between the anti-Japanese, the pro-Japanese, those who remain silent and the conflicts between the leftists and the rightists,” and added, “Also, we should put an end to the emotional antagonistic politics which split the nation as the east and the west.”

In the meantime, the Japanese government did not offer any official response to President Roh’s remarks.

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com