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South Korea's Roh urges Japan to heal bitter history
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-01 13:52

South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun urged Japan on Tuesday to take steps to overcome the legacy of its 1910-45 colonization of the Korean Peninsula.

While avoiding direct criticism, Roh called on Japan to make "sincere efforts" to improve ties between the two countries.

"(Japan) needs to examine the truth from the past, offer a sincere apology, make compensation if necessary, and heal the feud," Roh said, citing the example of Germany, in a speech on the country's Independence Movement Day.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun speaks during the 86th anniversary ceremony of Independence Movement Day against Japan, at Ehwa Woman High School in Seoul, Tuesday, March 1, 2005.[AP]

Despite lingering sensitivities related to the bitter history, the two nations have made progress in overcoming the past, notably in cultural exchanges.

South Korea and Japan are also working together to dismantle North Korea's nuclear arms program, along with the United States, Russia, China.

But South Koreans still deeply resent Japan for forcing Koreans to abandon their language and heritage during the colonial period. Japan also forced many Koreans into slave labor during World War II.

South Korean students wave flags at an anniversary celebration to commemorate the March 1 Independence movement against the 1919 Japanese colonial rule, in Seoul March 1, 2005. South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun urged Japan on Tuesday to take steps to overcome the legacy of its 1910-1945 colonization of the Korean Peninsula. [Reuters]

A renewed territorial dispute threatened to mar the improving South Korea-Japan relationship last week when the Japanese ambassador asserted that Japan was the rightful owner of several largely uninhabited islands claimed by both Seoul and Tokyo.

South Korea said the comments over the islands -- known as Takeshima in Japan and Tokto in South Korea -- were "unacceptable."

The two countries mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year.

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