Roundabout Admonition of Japan
Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Robert Menendez said on August 19, during his visit to Korea, that Japan would be able to be free from the past only when it searches its soul.
On that day, he visited the Asan Institute for Policy Studies to deliver a speech and have a press conference. In response to a question about Japan’s retrogression to nationalism, the deteriorating relations between Korea and Japan and the role of the US there, he answered, “Historical and diplomatic disputes between Korea and Japan must be resolved because that is the only way the two countries can fully realize their potentials as partners.” He explained, “Although the case is somewhat different, my country could become a strong nation only after the abolishment of the slavery.”
He continued, “Both of the countries need to be willing to recognize each other’s efforts to overcome historical challenges because it will do good to both of them.” Experts are saying that he, by saying so, urged Japan in a roundabout way to face the music with regard to its past wrongdoings.