1. The Government of the Republic of Korea deems it deeply deplorable that despite repeated expressions of deep concern by the ROK and the international community, Japan's leading politicians and Cabinet members on August 15 visited and paid their homage in various ways at the Yasukuni Shrine that glorifies the country's history of imperialistic invasion, thereby showing that they are still turning a blind eye to their history.

2. The Government of the Republic of Korea hopes that Japanese leaders will live up to the expectation of the peoples of the two countries to build new ROK-Japan relations on a stable foundation, and urges Japan to work proactively to win trust from neighboring countries by facing up to its history with courage and sincerely showing remorse for its past wrongdoings.

                   Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation