U.S. says position on Northeast Asia's historical tensions remains unchanged
- 9 years ago
Following a huge backlash in Korea, Washington has stressed that comments made by a senior U.S. official, Wendy Sherman on East Asian affairs were in no way targeting any specific country.
But watchers in Seoul say it's not enough to calm the waters.
Arirang's Connie Kim has more.
Washington has moved to clarify recent controversial comments made by a senior U.S. official and said its stance on historical tensions in Northeast Asia remains the same.
This comes after U.S. Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Friday urged leaders to refrain from stirring up nationalist feelings.
Seoul's foreign ministry had responded quickly, saying it would not take her comments lightly.
Sherman's remarks were seen as being directed at South Korea and China... which are critical of Japan for denying its wartime atrocities,... such as its sexual enslavement of women.
Looking to defuse the controversy,... the U.S. State Department said Sherman's comments were not directed at a particular leader in the region.
It added that South Korea and Japan are Washington's most important U.S. allies in East Asia and that it's important that Seoul and Tokyo maintain constructive relations for peace and prosperity in the region.
"Obviously our three countries share a lot in common and in no way was she speaking about one person or any one country."
The State Department's deputy spokesperson did not elaborate, but the State Department told Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency that historical issues should be dealt with "in a manner that promotes healing and reconciliation."
It emphasized that Japan's past statements apologizing to the victims of its wartime aggression "marked an important chapter in Japan improving relations with its neighbors."
However, there are voices of concern that the U.S. doesn't want to involve itself in Northeast Asia history because it wants to maintain its relationship with Japan.
Experts say Washington's is seeking to strengthen its relationship with Japan and Korea t
But watchers in Seoul say it's not enough to calm the waters.
Arirang's Connie Kim has more.
Washington has moved to clarify recent controversial comments made by a senior U.S. official and said its stance on historical tensions in Northeast Asia remains the same.
This comes after U.S. Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Friday urged leaders to refrain from stirring up nationalist feelings.
Seoul's foreign ministry had responded quickly, saying it would not take her comments lightly.
Sherman's remarks were seen as being directed at South Korea and China... which are critical of Japan for denying its wartime atrocities,... such as its sexual enslavement of women.
Looking to defuse the controversy,... the U.S. State Department said Sherman's comments were not directed at a particular leader in the region.
It added that South Korea and Japan are Washington's most important U.S. allies in East Asia and that it's important that Seoul and Tokyo maintain constructive relations for peace and prosperity in the region.
"Obviously our three countries share a lot in common and in no way was she speaking about one person or any one country."
The State Department's deputy spokesperson did not elaborate, but the State Department told Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency that historical issues should be dealt with "in a manner that promotes healing and reconciliation."
It emphasized that Japan's past statements apologizing to the victims of its wartime aggression "marked an important chapter in Japan improving relations with its neighbors."
However, there are voices of concern that the U.S. doesn't want to involve itself in Northeast Asia history because it wants to maintain its relationship with Japan.
Experts say Washington's is seeking to strengthen its relationship with Japan and Korea t