August 16, 2017
The Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) on August 15 held the Gwangbokjeol (return to the light) ceremony in Tokyo to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese imperialism.
Mindan President Oh Gong-tae in his address condemned North Korea’s nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches for posing a threat to world peace. He expressed his concern that such actions inflame anti-North Korea sentiments in Japan, which could lead to hate crimes against Korean residents.
The message from South Korean President Moon Jae-in was read out by Ambassador to Japan Lee Joon-gyu.
Japanese Communist Party member of the Lower House Fujino Yasufumi and representatives from the Liberal Democratic, Komei, Democratic, Social Democratic, and Liberal parties as well as the Tokyo local political party, Tomin First no Kai, delivered speeches as guests.
Fujino said that this year marks the centennial of the birth of Yun Dong-ju, Korea’s national poet. Yun died in February 1945 at the age of 27 in a prison in Fukuoka Prefecture after being arrested for his involvement in the Korean independence movement under the notorious pre-war Public Order Maintenance Law.
Fujino said that Japan should sincerely face up to historical facts like this, have remorse for its past war of aggression and colonial rule over Korea, and reject any attempts to falsify history.
Fujino criticized North Korea for pushing forward with its nuclear weapons and missile development programs. He underscored the need to eliminate hate speech demonstrations in Japan and to allow permanent residents in Japan to vote in local elections.
Fujino concluded his speech by saying that the JCP will do its utmost to further promote Japan-South Korea friendship and work for peace in Northeast Asia.
Past related articles:
> JCP Secretariat Head Koike at Korean ceremony: I’ll work to end hate speech [August 16, 2016]
> Japan’s legislature makes a big step forward to end hate speech [May 13 & 14, 2016]
Mindan President Oh Gong-tae in his address condemned North Korea’s nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches for posing a threat to world peace. He expressed his concern that such actions inflame anti-North Korea sentiments in Japan, which could lead to hate crimes against Korean residents.
The message from South Korean President Moon Jae-in was read out by Ambassador to Japan Lee Joon-gyu.
Japanese Communist Party member of the Lower House Fujino Yasufumi and representatives from the Liberal Democratic, Komei, Democratic, Social Democratic, and Liberal parties as well as the Tokyo local political party, Tomin First no Kai, delivered speeches as guests.
Fujino said that this year marks the centennial of the birth of Yun Dong-ju, Korea’s national poet. Yun died in February 1945 at the age of 27 in a prison in Fukuoka Prefecture after being arrested for his involvement in the Korean independence movement under the notorious pre-war Public Order Maintenance Law.
Fujino said that Japan should sincerely face up to historical facts like this, have remorse for its past war of aggression and colonial rule over Korea, and reject any attempts to falsify history.
Fujino criticized North Korea for pushing forward with its nuclear weapons and missile development programs. He underscored the need to eliminate hate speech demonstrations in Japan and to allow permanent residents in Japan to vote in local elections.
Fujino concluded his speech by saying that the JCP will do its utmost to further promote Japan-South Korea friendship and work for peace in Northeast Asia.
Past related articles:
> JCP Secretariat Head Koike at Korean ceremony: I’ll work to end hate speech [August 16, 2016]
> Japan’s legislature makes a big step forward to end hate speech [May 13 & 14, 2016]
