We have paved the way for broader exchanges between the JCP and ROK: JCP Chair Shii

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We have paved the way for broader exchanges between the JCP and ROK: JCP Chair Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo held a news conference in Seoul on September 7 to sum up the three days of exchanges the JCP delegation had with South Koreans, including political party leaders, as follows:

On three days exchanges

This was my first visit to South Korea. I came here in hopes that this visit will pave the way for broader exchanges between the JCP and different sectors of the South Korean people, in particular those in political circles.

I visited the Seodaemun Prison Museum Hall first and offered flowers and a moment of silence to Korean patriots who fell victim to the severe persecution by Japanese imperialism.

In meetings with political leaders, I had discussions with the Speaker of the South Korean National Assembly, Lim Chae-Jung, and leaders and parliamentary representatives of the four parties; the Uri Party, the Grand National Party, the Democratic Party, and the People First Party. I will meet with the Democratic Labor Party chair during the 4th International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

I also met with Kang Man Gil, professor emeritus of Korea University and a prominent historian, and Cho Kwang, dean of the College of Liberal Arts of Korea University. We exchanged views about historical issues and the future of Asia and the world. My meeting with Kang Man Gil was at the Seodaemun Prison Museum Hall, and he said he had been held in that prison in 1983.

Yesterday, we visited Yonsei University and had a meeting with about 60 undergraduate and graduate students. I made a speech, which was followed by a question-and-answer session. I enjoyed a very pleasant time there. Later in the day, I exchanged views with professors of history at Yonsei and other universities.

I believe that these exchanges have paved the way for future exchanges between the JCP and South Korea. I intended to use this visit to meet with leaders of all South Korean political parties with the view of starting exchanges with all South Korean political circles, and I think this aim has been accomplished. After the series of talks I had, I have high expectations for more future exchanges to take place between the JCP and Koreans.

The JCP delegation was warmly welcomed everywhere we visited. I found no barrier to heart-to-heart exchanges between us. I'm deeply impressed with this result. My heart is filled with big emotion because my long-standing plan to visit South Korea has been realized in such a wonderful way.

Settling historical issues is indispensable for developing bilateral friendship

Throughout these exchanges, I keenly felt that settling historical issues is indispensable for establishing genuine friendship between Japanese and South Koreans in the 21st century.

Concerning the Japanese prime minister's visits to Yasukuni Shrine, we heard voices of deep concern and criticism in these exchanges. This experience made me acutely feel that no genuine friendship can be established between Japan and South Korea unless this question is fully addressed.

Speaking of this issue, I want to refer to the historical fact that the Japanese Communist Party immediately after its founding in 1922 put up a struggle against the Japanese imperialist colonization of Korea and fought in solidarity with the Korean patriots demanding the independence of Korea. We are proud of this history and I strongly feel that the JCP's historical struggle is significant in the 21st century.

In the discussions I had here, I explained how the JCP, as a party with this proud history and as a party with influence in Japan's politics, is making efforts to block adverse political currents in Japan.

I think that on the historical issues, the JCP and all who I met, including the National Assembly Speaker, leaders of all political parties, historians, and young people, shared the view that overcoming sticky historical issues is the basis for creating true friendship between our two peoples in this century.

There are various pending issues between Japan and South Korea. However, I'm convinced that these problems can be solved through calm and responsible discussions if Japan takes a sincere position of reflecting on what it did in the past and that any difficult questions can be resolved on this basis.

The JCP will make every effort to solve the historical obstacles that stand in the way of developing bilateral relations. We will work hard to make the 21st century an era for Japanese and South Korean peoples to develop heart-to-heart relations based on trust and mutual respect.
- Akahata, September 9, 2006