Seoul shows regret over Abe's speech

The government expressed strong regret over Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's failure to make an apology for Japan's wartime atrocities in his address to the U.S. Congress, Thursday (KST), saying Tokyo is being regressive in recognizing its past.

"We find it regretful that Prime Minister Abe's speech contained no sincere apology although such an address could serve as a turning point for Japan's reconciliation and cooperation with neighboring countries," foreign ministry spokesman Noh Kwang-il said in a statement. "Japan is heading backward although it's critical for Tokyo to acknowledge and repent its wartime past so that it can contribute to world peace, which Abe underscored in his address.

"The country should correctly face history, including colonial rule, military aggression and the sexual enslavement of women to make peace with its neighbors and move forward."

Abe is facing a backlash from lawmakers in both Seoul and Washington for his speech, in which he remained silent about Japan's crimes during World War II.

The nationalist leader instead expressed "feelings of deep remorse over the war," saying the people of his country will not "avert their eyes" from the suffering of people in Asian countries.

In a statement, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said, "I was very disappointed that Mr. Abe didn't use this opportunity to adequately address outstanding historical issues that continue to plague relations throughout East Asia."

"Having met with many comfort women, I know how deeply these wounds are still felt and how much they want an apology and the recognition of history as it occurred.

Royce also pointed out that German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently urged Abe to face history "openly and squarely."

"We will not get the future right if we continue to get the past wrong," he added.

During the ruling Saenuri Party's Supreme Council meeting, floor leader Rep. Yoo Seong-min said, "Abe's speech totally lacked a sincere apology over Japan's military aggression, colonial invasion and sex slavery."

Other party members echoed a similar view.

"It was deplorable that Abe simply blew his chance to settle disputes over history," Rep. Kim Eul-dong said.

Rep. Shim Yoon-joe said he was very disappointed, adding Abe may face growing criticism around the globe.

Abe's speech took place amid growing concerns in Korea that the country is being stranded by Washington's increasing inclination toward Tokyo as its key partner to contain a rising China.

"What makes Abe's speech more important was that it made us reconsider how Korea can survive amid the strengthened U.S-Japan alliance," he said.

According to the Saenuri Party, Yoo will meet Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Defense Minister Han Min-koo at the National Assembly today to discuss Seoul's strategies in dealing with Washington and Tokyo, respectively.

Abe was the first head of state from Japan to address a meeting of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The U.S. Congress objected to Abe's predecessors from having such an honor because of Japan's wartime crimes.

The historic speech came after Washington and Tokyo reached a deal, Monday, over the revision of their 1997 defense guidelines.

The revised guidelines remove geographic limits on the movements of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, allowing Tokyo to provide support to the U.S. military operations abroad.

The move is seen as efforts to contain China, which is in a hegemonic struggle with the U.S.

A diplomatic analyst warned that Korea would need to develop systematic strategies.

"Cheong Wa Dae lacks a mid- and long-term plan to cope with the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape," he said on condition of anonymity.

Kwak Jin-oh, a senior researcher at Northeast Asian History Foundation, agreed.

"Under the presidential system, diplomatic policies are greatly influenced and determined by the President."

"The Abe government perfectly understood what the White House seeks to achieve in its global policies. On the other hand, we failed and have not come up with relevant measures."