May 11, 2017

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on May 10, in regard to the new South Korean president, said, “The JCP hopes that South Korea will step up its efforts to put a stop to North Korean nuclear/missile development programs, denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and resume dialogue/negotiations for the peace and stability of East Asia.”

At a press conference held in the Diet building, Koike made the statement above in response to reporters asking him for a comment on Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party who took the oath of office as South Korean president on the same day.

Koike said, “The strong hope of Korean citizens for fairness in politics and the economy, for improvements in people’s lives, and for peace has brought about a new president. For the sound development of Japan-South Korea relations, it is necessary to find a solution to the unsolved historical issue between the two countries, such as the wartime Japanese military’s comfort women system, based on Japan’s sincere remorse over its past war of aggression and subsequent colonial rule over Korea.” He added, “The JCP will continue making efforts to achieve this.”