S. Korea expresses regret over Japanese leaders' offering, visit to war-linked shrine

The Yasukuni Shrine, located in central Tokyo, honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II. It has long been a source of diplomatic friction between Japan and its neighbors.

SEOUL, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Friday expressed regret over Japanese leaders' offering and visit to the controversial war-linked Yasukuni Shrine, seen as a symbol of the militaristic and colonial past of Japan.

South Korean foreign ministry said in a statement that the government expresses deep disappointment and regret over the fact that responsible leaders of Japan once again sent offerings to and paid respects at the Yasukuni Shrine that glorifies Japan's war of aggression and enshrines war criminals.

The ministry urged Japanese leaders to squarely face history and demonstrate through action their humble reflection and sincere remorse for Japan's past history, stressing that it will be an important foundation for the development of future-oriented relations between the two countries based on mutual trust.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the notorious shrine earlier in the day to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

While Ishiba had not visited the shrine in person, several politicians from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party visited the shrine to pay homage.

The Yasukuni Shrine, located in central Tokyo, honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II. It has long been a source of diplomatic friction between Japan and its neighbors.

Visits and ritual offerings made by Japanese officials to the shrine consistently sparked criticism and hurt the feelings of the people of China, South Korea and other countries brutalized by Japan during the War.■