U.S. envoy to Seoul urges Tokyo to handle history issues through `healing and reconciliation`

U.S. envoy to Seoul urges Tokyo to handle history issues through `healing and reconciliation`. April. 09, 2015 07:21. shcho@donga.com.

The U.S. ambassador to South Korea said Tuesday that his country is urging Japan to handle history issues through "healing and reconciliation."

In an exclusive interview with the Dong-A Ilbo, Ambassador Mark Lippert said that Washington has a "very straightforward" attitude toward the history issues, noting that U.S. President Barack Obama said during his visit to Seoul last year that the way the sex slaves for the Imperial Japanese Army were treated was "shocking."

The interview was Lippert`s first official one with the domestic media since he was attacked during a public forum on March 5. The interview took place at his official residence in downtown Seoul.

"My family and I will never forget the support South Koreans have shown since the incident," he said, reiterating his gratitude. He went on to say that the support is "a good indicator" of how good the U.S.-South Korea relations are.

Noting that he is "in a very good condition thanks to the outstanding medical staff and friends," the envoy said he believes that he will be able to return to his normal life in two or three months, although he is still uncomfortable in his left hand, which was injured during the knife attack.

Regarding U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter`s first visit to South Korea on Thursday since he took office, the ambassador said that the visit is aimed at showing the "strong and solid" Seoul-Washington alliance and defense poster against threats from North Korea. He said it is "disappointing" that although his country is always ready to engage in "serious and trustworthy dialogue" with the North, Pyongyang is not showing the same attitude. He also stressed the North`s responsibility for the lack of inter-Korean dialogue.