Shii meets with representatives of Grand National Party

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Shii meets with representatives of Grand National Party

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on September 7 talked with National Assembly Floor Leader Kim Hyoung-O of the Grand National Party, the largest opposition party in the ROK, at the National Assembly building in Seoul.

Kim expressed his welcome and appreciation for Shii's visit to the ROK, and said, "Since we have had no special relationship with the JCP, I'd like to explain the GNP's position." With regard to the Japan-ROK relations, he said, "For 60 years since the liberation from colonial rule, the ROK and Japan have developed personal and economic exchanges, and established an important relationship in the world. But the people in the ROK deplore Prime Minister Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine and the Japanese government making complaint about Dokdo (Takeshima Island)."

Kim continued, "I hope that you will cooperate with us in resolving these issues for the sake of the future of the ROK-Japan relationship."

In response to Kim's remarks, Shii explained that the JCP since its foundation had struggled in solidarity with the Korean movement for independence and suffered from the suppression. Shii said, "I believe that the commonly shared history, in which both of us waged struggles against the war of aggression and colonial rule and suffered from the persecution for this reason, gives us a historical foundation to develop exchanges between the ROK and the JCP."

Shii stressed, "Whoever becomes Japan's next prime minister, he must refrain from visiting Yasukuni Shrine." "We oppose every reactionary move attempting to distort history. At the same time, a cool-headed consideration is needed to deal with the Takeshima issue. Let us work together for both nations' friendly future relations," he added.

Giving some nods of approval to Shii's remarks, Kim said, "Although the GNP has different principles and constituencies from yours, we should cooperate for the sake of future relations between the ROK and Japan."

Referring to Dokdo (Takeshima Island) over which both governments are claiming sovereignty, the GNP representative asked Shii to understand that it is the territory of the ROK.

Shii responded that the JCP announced publicly that the Japanese government's claim for sovereignty has historical grounds, and at the same time he pointed out that it is a historical fact that because the incorporation of Takeshima into Japan had been carried out in 1905 when Japan had pushed forward the colonization of the Korean Peninsula, Korea had had no voice to oppose it.

Shii said, "Japan's remorse for its colonial rule is the essential prerequisite for a cool-headed discussion between our countries. Based on this remorse, it is needed to engage in joint study to investigate the historical facts."

Kim said, "I'm glad to hear that. I did not talk about what had happened during the colonial period. But it is very significant that you mentioned them." He went on to say, "The ROK people still remembers the past wounds. The Japanese government lacks the thorough remorse that might enable us to take a step forward. If they truly have such remorse, how can the prime minister continue to visit Yasukuni Shrine?"

Shii said, "We will never condone a prime minister's Yasukuni visit for the sake of the very raison d'etre of the JCP that fought against the war of aggression at the risk of party members' lives. Yasukuni is our own personal issue."

Kim replied, "Now I understand well the historical significance of launching the JCP and its spirit against the war of aggression. We can cooperate in dealing with the historical issues."

Shii stressed the need to share historical views in order to create a community of nations for peace in East Asia, and Kim said, "I fully agree."
- Akahata, September 8, 2006