S. Korean lawmakers urge Japanese Dietmembers to abandon wartime legislation

As the Japanese ruling parties were rushing to get the war contingency bills passed in the House of Representatives, 30 South Korean National Assembly members on May 15 faxed all Japanese Lower House members a letter requesting them to oppose the passage of the contingency bills. "The bills, if enacted, will have negative impact on Japan's neighboring countries," the letter said.

The 30 Korean lawmakers included Song Yong Gil and Kim Hee Sun, members of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, and Ahn Yong Keun of the Grand National Party.

Stating, "We are aware that it is not appropriate for foreign legislators to express opinions about Japan's domestic laws," the South Korean lawmakers stressed that the wartime legislation may worsen Asia's military and security environment.

They also warned that the contingency legislation conflicts with Japan's peace Constitution and urged Japanese parliament members to remember the history in which the wrong decisions forced the world to undergo enormous suffering from the war. (end)