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Okada and other members listen to explanations from the National Palace Museum of Korea
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On August 2, DPJ President Katsuya Okada, on a visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK), made the first stop of his trip at the Seoul National Cemetery, which has traditionally been visited by Japanese Prime Ministers on visits to the ROK. He paid his respects to the war dead and laid a wreath.
Okada went on to pay a visit to the National Palace Museum of Korea, where the Royal Protocols of the Joseon Dynasty, whose transfer to the ROK had been decided by the DPJ administration, are on display. The Director of the Museum welcomed Okada, and expressed his appreciation for his efforts in transferring the documents to the ROK during his term as Minister for Foreign Affairs. After meeting with the Director and viewing the exhibits, Okada told reporters that the Royal Protocols were very precious documents for the people of Korea and said, “I feel that the transfer was worthwhile.”
On the evening of that same day, Okada met with Korean university professors, researchers and other leading experts, and enjoyed frank discussions about Japanese politics and bilateral relations between Japan and the ROK.
The DPJ delegation accompanying Okada to the ROK includes member of the House of Representatives Kiyomi Tsujimoto (Deputy Chair, DPJ Policy Research Committee), member of the House of Councillors Kohei Otsuka (Deputy Chair, DPJ Policy Research Committee), member of the House of Representatives Yosuke Kondo (Director-General, DPJ Executive Office), and member of the House of Representatives Takeshi Miyazaki. Okada and other members of the delegation are scheduled to hold meetings with ROK President Park Geun-hye and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se on August 3, before returning to Japan the following day.
Okada had mentioned the purpose of his visit to the ROK to reporters on July 31, saying, “This year is a landmark year, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea, and the 70th anniversary of the ending of WWII. Although the ROK is an extremely important neighbor, a nation that shares many of the same values, regrettably the state of our bilateral relationship cannot currently be described as good. I would like us to engage thoroughly in opposition party diplomacy, in a sense supplementing the efforts of the Japanese government. We will participate in discussions in the hope that we can move the bilateral relationship even a fraction in a positive direction.”
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