S. Korean envoy positive on joint historical research

0 Comments | Asian Political News, May 21, 2001

TOKYO, May 17 Kyodo

South Korean Ambassador to Japan Choi Sang Yong said Thursday he is ''optimistic'' about the possibility that South Korea and Japan can conduct joint historical research in order to avoid rows stemming from different views of the past.

Speaking at a Tokyo meeting, Choi said bilateral disputes over history could be settled if the two countries examine the issues in a ''cool-headed and objective manner'' from an academic viewpoint.

''I am cautious as well as optimistic,'' the envoy said.

South Korea is seeking 35 revisions to Japan's junior high school history textbooks to be used from next April, including one written by nationalist historians. Critics say they justify Japan's colonization of the Korean Peninsula and gloss over wartime atrocities committed by Japanese troops.

Choi was apparently referring to a reported Japanese government plan to conduct joint research on bilateral history by experts from the two countries and reflect the results in future textbook screening processes in Japan.

The government is reportedly planning such joint research in an effort to settle the textbook row.

The ambassador pointed out that recognition of history involves ''confirmation of past historical facts'' and ''interpretation of the confirmed historical facts.''

''It is natural that everyone interprets history differently. What we want is merely a mutual recognition of the confirmed facts,'' Choi said.

In April, Seoul recalled Choi as envoy to Japan in a show of anger over the textbook issue, but returned him to Tokyo 10 days later.