Japan protests at S Korea's comments on emperor

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  • 4

    sourpuss

    Lee has decided to throw all diplomacy to the 4 winds. What kind of reaction did he expect? Oh, that's right, I forgot: his legacy at home.

  • 5

    nigelboy

    “Japan has not raised the issue with the South Korean government about the emperor visiting the country,” Gemba said.

    Ouch. As much as I despise Gemba, this is one of the best comebacks I've heard in a while.

  • 1

    hereforever

    Sure hope WWII does start WWIII. Grow up boys. If Japanese are so angry at Koreans, stop buying its products, watching its dramas and buying its music. Otherwise, shut up and go out and enjoy your life. Laugh, love, live!

  • 6

    CrazyJoe

    It's time for an overhaul for Japan's foreign policy especially with South Korea.

  • 1

    OssanAmerica

    Start limiting Visas for South Koreans including all the Kpop stars.

  • 4

    fds

    the thing is the emperor cannot apologize as he does not officially represent japan and is banned from making political statements. something lee is apparently ignorant of among other things.

  • 1

    Hiroicci

    This is pretty much every summer thing, but President Lee has been playing it too hot this summer, starting with his landing on Takeshima/Dokto. He didn't make a clear comment on the South Korean footballer's nationalist action on the pitch (though I know that he's saying, "Well done, son!", in his mind). Now this Emperor stuff.

    In a way, it was he who invited the DPJ guys to Yasukuni, which could be read as a reaction against his decision to play the nationalist chess.

    No wonder, there's a Presidential election in December. Bashing Japan along this line is an absolute necessity.

  • -2

    Mirai Hayashi

    Start limiting Visas for South Koreans including all the Kpop stars.

    definitely...they'll change their tune fairly quickly (no pun intended)

  • 0

    kwatt

    It seems very clearly that the Korean president wants more money of sex slavery from Japan whatever. That's reason he raised the issues of the remarkable dispute isle and emperor apology again. I think Japan historically paid the compensation money in 1960s after Korean and Japanese government negotiated about all damages and sex slavery, but Korean government did not pay to people of Korea, and emperor did apologize years ago, but Korea thinks this is not enough.

  • 5

    rogoteye

    @ kwatt

    Let's be honest here. NOTHING will EVER be enough for the South Koreans.

  • 2

    Hiroicci

    Ooops, you can be a President only once in Korea. Sorry for my ignorance earlier.

  • -3

    Rose Kina Kina

    Everybody enjoy the hospitality of Japan why do you spoil it? If you dont like Japan tell your people to return to your country.i think nobody will listen unless those who are not satisfied.you go home honorably without a heavy heart.

  • -2

    Amidalism

    I seriously don't see what a superficial apology from a man removed from power who had nothing to do with the original attrocities is going to change. Next thing you know they will be demanding that Japan find a way to raise the dead who were involved so they can apologize for their misdeeds.

  • 0

    Rose Kina Kina

    **this is another political agenda.

  • 0

    SunnysideUp

    Ooh... punch 'em where it hurts. Imagine the huge loss of face for the nation if the little emperor apologizes. Ain't happening.

  • 0

    A Canadian

    I'm sure visiting SK is right at the very top of the Emperor's to-do list.

  • 1

    Robert Roo

    '' at Aug. 16, 2012 - 08:45AM JST Sure hope WWII does start WWIII. Grow up boys.'' Ww1 was The cause of ww2 so ww3 could well be from previous differed from ww2. People should be aware so they can repair the damage not provoke it.

  • 0

    kurumazaka

    I think I understand what Lee's intentions were. He genuinely wants a cooperative security arrangement with Japan to counter NK and especially an ever increasingly assertive China. As he has learned rather painfully, that cannot happen, regardless of ROK government desires, until the ROK voter is satisfied with Japanese goodwill. He is trying to force Japan's hand by creating a real geopolitical dilemma that Japan can only solve by "repenting" in a way acceptable to the people (once again, not government) of South Korea. By visiting Dokdo, he did exactly what Japanese nationalists want to do with the Senkakus, and he believes that Tokyo will realize that it's stance on Takeshima/Dokdo undercuts its claim to the Senkakus, which are far more important to Japan's national interest. (note the recent editorial in the Peoples Daily rejecting the legitimacy of Lee's visit. If Lee can do it, why not Noda to the Senkakus?))However difficult, it could have worked until he went and put his damn foot in it. The entirely unprovoked attack on the Emperor was breathtakingly stupid. The chance of Japanese cooperation is now next to nil. Rather than nudging Japan to an acceptable outcome, he has pretty much infuriated the whole country.I have no idea where this goes from here, (ICJ perhaps, which the ROK has tried hard to avoid to this point) but doubt it will be pleasant. Pres. Lee, when you are president your words matter. You have created a situation that is in the interests of neither the ROK nor Japan, though I'm sure they are celebrating in Beijing and Pyongyang. Congrats on a job exceptionally poorly done.

  • -4

    just-a-bigguy

    President Lee has concealed his hatred over Japan, the place where he has borned and expressed it suddenly at the end of his presidency! Very Brilliant, sure the leader of North Korea, Kim Jon IL will applaud him! korean were brothers forever!

  • -6

    just-a-bigguy

    But the comments appeared to have taken Tokyo by surprise

    Now Japan sees how isolated she was at present, even her ally, the one who was seen as the hope of japanese diplomacy. South Korea has stabbed her back! From the president who was born in Japan and who was known to be pro-Japan anti-North Korea has stabbed her back! Does Japan ever rethink about herself even from her own national interest and security such situation is definately an omen!

  • -5

    ubikwit

    Lee ranks right up there with "kami no kuni" Mori as one of the most shameless, right-wing nationalistic political cretins in recent East Asian history.

    I hope that he is made to pay for his hostile demagoguery. Koreans need to vote him and his party out of office.

    Japanese should boycott products made by Samsung, LG and Hyundai and the other politically connected chaebol conglomerates.

  • 0

    Hikozaemon

    I think this whole thing is proof that Kim Jong Il is alive, and has taken over the body of the South Korean president.

  • -6

    just-a-bigguy

    Does the North korean leader Kim Jon Un has to apologize for his father and grand father's wrong doings over south Korea? No absolutely not! Instead the Japanese emperor has to apologize for his father Hiroito, grand father Taijo,grand grand father Meiji's wrong doings to south Korea! So we can understand how wrongs the Japanese has done is beyond speech! Unfortunately the present japanese PM and their society has failed to acknowledged this serious concerns from President Lee's pledges!

  • 0

    PT24881

    @fdsAug. 16, 2012 - 09:40AM JST

    "the thing is the emperor cannot apologize as he does not officially represent japan and is banned from making political statements. something lee is apparently ignorant of among other things."

    The S. Koreans seem to be fully convinced that the late emperor ( Father ) played deniably a crucial role behind the WWII & should be treated as an A criminal. Alternatively, if the statement was put as "Mr. GEMBA/ NODA should apologize before visiting SK" it sounds not strong enough

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