정부는 “우리 정부는 일본측이 발표한 고노담화 검증 결과의 세부 내용에 대한 우리의 평가와 입장을 별도로 분명히 밝힐 것이며, 국제사회와 함께 적절한 대응 조치를 취해 나갈 것”이라고 밝혔다.

정부는 이어 “소위 검증이라는 구실 하에 피해자들의 아픈 상처를 또다시 건드리는 행위는 유엔 등 국제사회가 결코 용납하지 않을 것임을 일본 정부는 분명히 알아야 한다“고 경고했다.

정부는 “일본 정부가 과거의 잘못에 대한 진정한 반성을 토대로 일본군 위안부 피해자 문제에 대한 책임을 분명히 인정하고 하루라도 빨리 피해자 할머니들께서 납득하실 수 있는 해결책을 제시할 것을 촉구한다“고 밝혔다.

앞서 일본 정부는 이날 중의원 예산위원회 이사회에 보고한 고노담화 검증 결과보고서를 통해 일본군 위안부 강제동원을 인정한 고노담화 작성 과정에서 한일 정부간의 문안 조정이 있었다고 밝혔다.(onlinenews@heraldcorp.com)

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Japan’s review of comfort women apology to further dent Korea ties 

Relations between Korea and Japan are plunging further into the shadows after the Shinzo Abe administration on Friday unveiled a report undercutting its watershed 1993 apology for its mobilization of Korean women to frontline brothels.

A five-member panel consisting of legal, women’s rights and media experts has been “reexamining the background” of the Kono Statement since late February. It is headed by former Prosecutor-General Keiichi Tadaki.

The 25-page paper, submitted to a lower house committee earlier in the day, concluded that the two countries “consulted on the language during the drafting process” and agreed not to make the fact public.

Tokyo, for instance, initially inserted a sentence that the so-called comfort women were recruited by contractors who received military authorities’ “intent,” which was ultimately replaced by “request” in line with Seoul’s suggestion.

The event came amid widespread concerns that the hawkish premier would attempt to negate the apology that brought a thaw in the two former foes’ checkered relations.

Yet Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said his administration stands by the apology, reiterating that historical research and assessment including on the comfort women issue was “the job of experts.”

“The Japanese government’s position remains unchanged that it will not revise the Kono Statement,” he told a news conference after the parliamentary session.

The announcement fueled further backlash from Seoul, especially given Japan’s breach of protocol through a unilateral disclosure of diplomatic negotiations.

“Though Tokyo claims no change to the apology, we cannot help questioning its intent behind the review itself,” a senior official at the Foreign Ministry said on customary condition of anonymity.

“Japan’s far-right forces including the Restoration Party will almost certainly take issue, saying the Kono Statement is a product of diplomatic bargaining rather than a fair probe and genuine willingness,” another official said.

The ministry has said the apology basically resulted from Tokyo’s “independent surveys and judgment.”

The landmark apology issued by then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono acknowledged and apologized for setting up “comfort stations” and forcing women to provide sex to the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.

“The Japanese government offers sincere apologies and remorse to all those, irrespective of place of origin, who suffered enormous pain and incurable physical and psychological wounds as the so-called comfort women,” it reads.

Some records claimed that the number of women involved may have reached 200,000, mostly Korean. Currently, 54 out of 237 registered victims are alive, with their average age at 88.

The two countries have been holding director-general-level consultations since April on a monthly basis to resolve the long-festering issue.

But the talks have been making little headway as Korea calls for a formal, sincere apology and compensation for the aging victims, whereas Japan claims the issue was settled in a 1965 agreement that normalized bilateral ties.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)