(* This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura

Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 6:05 p.m.
Place: Front Entrance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

The Visit to MOFA of Republic of Korea's Ambassador
Summoning of Former Vice Minister of Defense Moriya as a Sworn Witness

1. The Visit to MOFA of Republic of Korea's Ambassador

Minister:
The ROK Ambassador to Japan Yu Myung-hwan paid me a visit today and expressed the regret of the ROK regarding the Kim Dae-jung incident and explained its view that such an incident must never be allowed to happen again. I stated, "I accept the Government of the Republic of Korea's expression of regret regarding the infringement of Japan's sovereignty as an apology, and I find this as the commitment that the ROK will never allow this kind of incident to occur, and I will announce it in such a way so I want to make sure that the ROK has no objection to that." In response to this, the Ambassador said, "I have no objection to that." Then I said, "As such, based on this understanding, Japan intends to basically settle the diplomatic issue, but regarding the criminal investigation in the future, the investigative authorities will decide." We then ended our meeting and agreed that we would both make efforts to ensure that any such matter does not result in affecting Japan-ROK relations in a bad direction.

Question:
In the report issued by the Committee handling this matter in the ROK, it is stated that the responsibility for the delay in finding what actually took place lies in the Government of Japan, or it was the result of the fact that the Government of Japan was not cooperative. What are your thoughts on that?

Minister:
Regarding the conclusion part of that report, when Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hitoshi Kimura asked, "Are the opinion and conclusion of the Committee in fact the conclusion of the Government of the ROK?" the Ambassador responded, "Yes, that is the case." Separate from that conclusion part, there was an opinion part expressed by the Committee which stated that Japan was also responsible, which is absolutely unacceptable from Japan's perspective. Therefore, I focused particularly on that point and said, "Am I correct in assuming that this is not the opinion of the Government of the ROK?" The Ambassador responded, "As far as the Government of the ROK is concerned, we have no intention to do anything like pursuing the responsibility of Japan." Since that was his response, I followed up one more time for the purpose of clarification and said, "Am I correct in assuming that pursuing the responsibility of Japan is not the opinion of the Government of the ROK?" In response to this the Ambassador said, "That is what I think." Given that the Ambassador went so far as to say that, I considered that it was sufficient.

Question:
Considering the fact that there was no expression of apology, it seems that the people of Japan will not be entirely satisfied emotionally and there may remain some unsettled feelings. What do you think about that?

Minister:
We really cannot affirm the people's feelings unless we ask them but when I said to the Ambassador, "We accept this as an apology and I will announce publicly that Japan accepts this as an apology," the Ambassador responded, "The ROK has no objection to that." I think it is important to remember that in diplomacy it is not always good to continue exchanging blows to the end.

Question:
Regarding the investigation, it is stated that the investigative authorities will make a decision on this case. Did you have any discussions on the Government of ROK's forthcoming cooperation?

Minister:
In the event that the investigative authorities do conduct an investigation, there will be issues such as whether or not cooperation will be offered and whether or not some new development will begin. We have settled the diplomatic matters but the investigation is a separate matter. Of course, we have discussed this in advance with the investigative authorities.

Question:
Didn't you request the cooperation in the investigation to the ROK?

Minister:
No, that is not the case. This is not our area.

2. Summoning of Former Vice Minister of Defense Moriya as a Sworn Witness

(See Japanese version.)

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