Uri Party Floor Leader Chun Jung-bae Interviewed by NHK

Concerning the amendment of a special law for inquiring into pro-Japanese activities, Uri Party floor leader Chun Jung-bae, who is on a visit to Japan, said yesterday, “The investigation into the truth may need addressing of the past affairs between Korea and Japan, but it is certain that it will not harm the future-oriented relations between the two countries.”

According to the floor leader office of the Uri Party, Chun said that the special law does not aim at harming cordial relations with Japan, but simply at dealing with domestic problems during an interview with NHK yesterday afternoon.

In regard to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s worshipping at the Yaskuni shrine, Chun said, “The worshipping at Yaskuni shrine by Japan’s top leader damages Korea-Japan relations, and I hope Japan is concerned about it.”

Additionally, in regards to the Korea-Japan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Chun expressed interest in it again by saying, “It will promote development in economic relations between the two countries.”

Seung-Heon Lee ddr@donga.com