South Korean lawmakers from the ruling party and the main opposition expressed their disapproval of visits by Japanese officials and politicians to the Yasukuni shrine, considered a symbol of Japan's imperialist past. Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and a group of lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party made offerings at the shrine to commemorate the anniversary of Japan's surrender in 1945 during the Second World War. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takayitchi also sent an offering to the shrine, although she did not visit it in person.
Jeon Su-mi, spokeswoman for the ruling Democratic Party, described the visits by Japanese officials and lawmakers from the Liberal Democratic Party as an "outdated provocation", calling them "reckless acts" based on "distorted nationalism".
Kim Dae-seik, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, the main opposition, known for his close relations with Japan, expressed his "deep regret", saying that Koizumi's visit to the shrine is an act that undermines mutual trust between the two nations.
Kim added that Japanese leaders in charge should face their country's history of aggression and demonstrate genuine repentance through actions, not just words.