President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was invited as an observer to the G7 summit, met with Korean atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima, Japan on the 19th for the first time as a Korean leader and said, “I know that my homeland was not with me at the scene of sorrow and pain . I deeply apologize for that.” Although the first meeting with atomic bomb victims is meaningful in itself, a question mark is attached to whether it will lead to actual compensation for the victims and their second and third generations.
On this evening, at a hotel in Hiroshima, President Yoon held a meeting with about 20 Koreans living near Hiroshima, including 10 Korean atomic bomb victims and their descendants, and officials from the Korean People’s Association in Japan (Mindan). It was in a state of liberation and independence, but the country had no strength and was invaded by communists and it was really difficult. Our compatriots are suffering and suffering in other places, but the government and state of the Republic of Korea were not by your side,” he said. At the same time, he said, “I offer words of comfort to the compatriots who were sacrificed and to you.” First Lady Kim Kun-hee was also present.
President Yoon repeatedly bowed his head, saying, “As the President of the Republic of Korea, I am sorry to be visiting you late.” President Yoon also mentioned that on the 21st, he and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will visit the memorial stone for Korean victims of atomic bombing in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the first Korean president to pay his respects. It will be a place to commemorate the Korean atomic bomb victims who directly experienced the devastation and pledge together to open a future of peace and prosperity for both countries메이저사이트.”
Kwon Yang-baek (80), a former Korean atomic bomb victim who attended the meeting, said, “I was also hit by an atomic bomb when I was two years old. I am thrilled that I am living a dream today.” “Don’t dwell on the past too much, don’t get too caught up in it, let’s look ahead and go. Let’s cooperate with each other so that a tragedy like this never happens again.” President Yoon responded by saying, “I will invite the compatriots who were bombed, their families, Mindan and Korean officials to visit Korea sometime soon.”
In August 1945, at the end of World War II, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the first time in human history. The number of Koreans living in these areas as forced laborers reached 70,000, and 40,000 of them are said to have died. Of the survivors, 23,000 returned home, and 7,000 remained in the country. Victims who were scattered to the two countries suffered from fear that radioactivity might remain in their bodies, and faced various discrimination such as marriage and employment. Cooperation between the governments of Korea and Japan is necessary to derive practical support measures for the atomic bomb victims. Elderly victims and 2nd and 3rd generation victims of radiation exposure have been demanding the establishment of a compensation support system for decades.
Prior to that day, President Yoon held summit talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanage and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chin immediately after arriving in Hiroshima. Korea and Australia have agreed to continue consultations on ways to stabilize supply chains, including trade in key minerals. Investment cooperation plans were discussed with Prime Minister Pham Minh Trinh.
Starting on the 20th, President Yoon attends an enlarged meeting of the summit of seven major countries to discuss food, health, and the environment. The Korea-Japan summit is expected on the 21st, the last day. A Korea-US-Japan summit is also likely to be held.