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| `Japan must face up to history, NK should walk path of change`
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| MARCH 02, 2013 15:54 |
`Japan must face up to history, NK should walk path of change`
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MARCH 02, 2013 15:54.
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President Park Geun-hye urged Japan to assume responsibility for its World War II atrocities and North Korea to “walk the path of change” on Friday.
“History is a mirror for self-reflection and a key to unlocking the future of new hope,” the new South Korean president said in a speech marking the March 1 Independence Movement Day, which commemorates the nationwide uprising against Japanese colonial rule in 1919. “The historic dynamic of one party being a perpetrator and the other party a victim will remain unchanged even after a thousand years have passed. It is incumbent on Japan to have a correct understanding of history and take on an attitude of responsibility to partner with us in playing a leading role in East Asia in the 21st century.”
On inter-Korean relations, President Park said, “My aim is to build trust on the Korean Peninsula rooted in robust national security measures for the purpose of laying the foundation for peaceful unification. To achieve this end, it is critical that North Korea makes the right choices.” Urging Pyongyang to change its attitude, she said, “While provocations by North Korea will be met by stronger counter-responses, its willingness to make the right choice and walk the path of change will be answered with more flexible engagement. It is my hope that North Korea will uphold its agreements with South Korea as well as with the international community and walk the path of trust and mutual acknowledgment.”
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| President Park Geun-hye urged Japan to assume responsibility for its World War II atrocities and North Korea to “walk the path of change” on Friday.
“History is a mirror for self-reflection and a key to unlocking the future of new hope,” the new South Korean president said in a speech marking the March 1 Independence Movement Day, which commemorates the nationwide uprising against Japanese colonial rule in 1919. “The historic dynamic of one party being a perpetrator and the other party a victim will remain unchanged even after a thousand years have passed. It is incumbent on Japan to have a correct understanding of history and take on an attitude of responsibility to partner with us in playing a leading role in East Asia in the 21st century.”
On inter-Korean relations, President Park said, “My aim is to build trust on the Korean Peninsula rooted in robust national security measures for the purpose of laying the foundation for peaceful unification. To achieve this end, it is critical that North Korea makes the right choices.” Urging Pyongyang to change its attitude, she said, “While provocations by North Korea will be met by stronger counter-responses, its willingness to make the right choice and walk the path of change will be answered with more flexible engagement. It is my hope that North Korea will uphold its agreements with South Korea as well as with the international community and walk the path of trust and mutual acknowledgment.”
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