2010-08-10 13:54

SEOUL - South Korea on Tuesday positively assessed Japan's apology for its colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945, hoping that the two countries can further develop future-oriented partnership based on a correct understanding of history.

In a statement issued earlier Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed his "feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology" for the tremendous damage and suffering brought by the colonial rule, and also mentioned his resolve to further push forward bilateral ties with South Korea.

The statement, which was endorsed by the Japanese Cabinet, came on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula, which falls on August 29.

In response, South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Kim Young- sun said Seoul "paid attention" to the position included in Prime Minister Kan's statement that Japan admitted its colonization was forced upon the Korean people against their will and that Japan is willing to be frank about facing its past mistakes.

Seoul takes the move as Tokyo's intention to overcome their unfortunate past and expects all Japanese people to share this view, Kim added.

Seoul is also evaluating Japan's pledge to carry out humanitarian cooperation to deal with historical issues and to quickly return Korean cultural relics, Kim said.

The South Korean government hopes that through proper recognition and reflection of the unfortunate past, the two sides can develop the current close bilateral relations into a future-oriented partnership, Kim said.