Japanese FM calls Japan's colonial rule of Korea 'tragic incident'

SEOUL, Feb. 11 (Yonhap) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada offered a rare
apology Thursday to South Korea over Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean
Peninsula, saying he understands the agony of Koreans who were forced to give up
their national identity.
"I believe it was a tragic incident for Koreans when they were deprived of their
nation and their identity," Okada told a joint press conference here after his
talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan.
"I can fully understand the feelings of (Koreans) who were deprived of their
identity and nation. I believe we must never forget the victims," he added.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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