South Korean ambassador to Japan makes first visit to Hiroshima, calls for strengthening local ties
Nov. 13, 2012
by Daisuke Yamamoto, Staff Writer
On November 7, Shin Kak Soo, the South Korean ambassador to Japan, met with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui at Hiroshima City Hall. Regarding the strained relationship between Japan and South Korea over territorial rights to Takeshima Island (Dokdo Island, to Koreans) in Shimane Prefecture, the two men agreed that enhancing exchange activities on the local level could help lead to a resolution of the matter.
“By strengthening understanding and trust between cities, our two nations could bolster their ties,” the ambassador said, citing the sister city relationship between the city of Hiroshima and the city of Daegu. Mr. Shin also expressed his support of Mayors for Peace, for which Mr. Matsui serves as president.
The mayor responded, “When there are ties on a human level, then no serious situations will arise. We would like to resolve difficulties by drawing on the best from both sides and deepening our friendship.”
Before the meeting, Ambassador Shin offered flowers at the Monument in Memory of the Korean Victims of the A-bomb, located in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
This is the first visit by the ambassador to Hiroshima since assuming his post in June 2011. Mr. Shin will meet with Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki at the Hiroshima Prefectural Office on November 8.
(Originally published on November 8, 2012)
On November 7, Shin Kak Soo, the South Korean ambassador to Japan, met with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui at Hiroshima City Hall. Regarding the strained relationship between Japan and South Korea over territorial rights to Takeshima Island (Dokdo Island, to Koreans) in Shimane Prefecture, the two men agreed that enhancing exchange activities on the local level could help lead to a resolution of the matter.
“By strengthening understanding and trust between cities, our two nations could bolster their ties,” the ambassador said, citing the sister city relationship between the city of Hiroshima and the city of Daegu. Mr. Shin also expressed his support of Mayors for Peace, for which Mr. Matsui serves as president.
The mayor responded, “When there are ties on a human level, then no serious situations will arise. We would like to resolve difficulties by drawing on the best from both sides and deepening our friendship.”
Before the meeting, Ambassador Shin offered flowers at the Monument in Memory of the Korean Victims of the A-bomb, located in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
This is the first visit by the ambassador to Hiroshima since assuming his post in June 2011. Mr. Shin will meet with Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki at the Hiroshima Prefectural Office on November 8.
(Originally published on November 8, 2012)
