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S. Korean Government to Announce Countermeasures Against Japan
Responding to the virtual rejection of Japan to South Korea`s request for the revision of the distorted Japanese historical textbooks, the South Korean government expressed very strong dissatisfaction and set to utilize all possible countermeasures to respond. Consequently, the S. Korea-Japan relationship is on the verge of the worst crisis.
Japanese ambassador Terusuke Terada visited Han Seung-Soo, S. Korean Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister, Monday morning, to deliver the result of the Japan`s review that Japan can revise only two items out of the 35 items of the Japanese middle school historical textbooks.
Minister Han expressed that ``the Korean government and the people are all deeply disappointed and embarrassed. We cannot accept the result of the review by the Japanese government. Now, Japan is responsible for all the consequences.``
Minister Han also rejected the request of Japan for the suspension of the fishing operation in the Southern Kuril Islands.
In addition, to protest against the Japanese decision, the S. Korean government rejected the proposal delivered by Japan to promote the S. Korea-Japan exchange projects, `S.Korea-Japan New Century Exchange Project.` And the government held a meeting to discuss the countermeasures of the distorted Japanese historical textbooks.
The S. Korean government will announce the detail countermeasures including the rejection of the S. Korea-Japan Foreign Minister meeting in the Asian Regional Forum (ARF), the postponement of the opening of cultural market to Japan, the reduction of the S. Korea-Japan exchange programs, the suspension of the exchange of high authorities, the change of the official title from `Emperor` to `Japanese king` in the government documents, the rejection of the Japanese entry into the permanent member of the UN Security Council, and the reiteration of the issue in the international meetings.
The government is also considering the recall of S. Korean ambassador Choi Sang-Ryong when it is necessary.
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