U.S.: Tension over Visit to Shrine Needs to be Resolved through Dialogue

U.S.: Tension over Visit to Shrine Needs to be Resolved through Dialogue. October. 19, 2005 06:09. by Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com.

The diplomatic tension between Korea and Japan and between China and Japan over the issue of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine is rising. On October 17, the U.S. called for resolution of the issue through dialogue and cooperation among the countries concerned, while restraining itself from directly interfering in the issue.

Sean McCormack, U.S. State Department spokesman, said in the regular briefing, “We hope that the countries in the region amicably resolve their concern through cooperation and dialogue,” in response to the question, “Are there any concerns that Koizumi’s visit to the shrine may have negative effects on the APEC summit meeting?”

The spokesman added, “We think every one understands the history of the region and the region-specific issues and concerns. We hope the countries that worry about the current problems can solve this issue with the Japanese government through dialogue.”