S. Korea assembly speaker urges U.S. to mediate with Japan

February 13, 2019

Seoul--South Korean National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang has urged the United States to mediate between Seoul and Tokyo, South Korean media reported.

According to the media reports, Moon said at a meeting in the United States on Monday with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan that South Korea and Japan need an intermediary as both sides have to overcome differences by compromising to a certain extent, but they are unable to do this.

He called on the United States to act as a mediator, just as the country had done in the past.

Moon emphasized that South Korea must never forget and look directly at the past, while moving ahead in a future-oriented manner. Sullivan highlighted the importance of relations with Japan.

He was also reported to have asked Moon whether he sees the issues in South Korea-Japan ties being resolved and whether dialogue and negotiations between the two nations are possible.

Prior to his visit to the United States, Moon asked for an apology from Japanese Emperor Akihito over the issue of the so-called comfort women in South Korea, who were forced into prostitution for Japanese troops before and during World War II.

The Japanese government has strongly protested Moon's remarks, made during an interview with a U.S. news agency. It has also urged Moon to apologize for and withdraw the statements.Jiji Press