S Korea summons Japan envoy over lewd remark about Moon

It is not a lewd remark.

It's a very lewd remark and very unbecoming of a diplomat.

The diplomat, who was not identified

Very undiplomatic language indeed. He should be tossed off the job immediately.

I'm curious if the clamed remark was made among co-workers in a private setting or was said openly in public. The article isn't clear on that point. I would imagine most diplomats within their own close circles of friends and co-workers share tart comments about other foreign leaders just as co-workers in just about any business often share their views on their bosses among themselves.

Sometimes i think politics is just where kids from both sides are throwing insult at each other just to get a reaction from the other side.

Desert TortoiseToday  11:07 am JST

I'm curious if the clamed remark was made among co-workers in a private setting or was said openly in public. The article isn't clear on that point. I would imagine most diplomats within their own close circles of friends and co-workers share tart comments about other foreign leaders just as co-workers in just about any business often share their views on their bosses among themselves.

Of course it was a statement as off-the record but SK media could not stand it and broken customary procedure and broadcasted it.

@Tokyo-Engr

However nothing can be solved by posting this flag. It violated the rules the athletes agreed to and was disrespectful.

Well said, but I think you have the wrong article.

I vividly remember some years back while Chinese premier was visiting india, an Indian govt own news tv anchor mispronounced his name as eleven, reading "Xi" as Roman letter. He got suspended even though chinese didn't even know this.

When it comes to diplomats, or any govt employee, there is no freedom of free interaction, anything done by their own which can result in any change in relations between countries or just cause a reaction from news on other side will immediately result in suspension from job as diplomats whatever they do, they represent their country 24x7.

However here, they have not mentioned whether it was a private talk leaked or said in public?

@Hiro

Sometimes i think politics is just where kids from both sides are throwing insult at each other just to get a reaction from the other side.

This is very well stated actually. The sign should not have been posted. This was clearly against the rules. I am not sure of these athletes need to be thrown out but they should be reprimanded and advised that if they do this again then action will be taken.

Yes Japan and many other nations have absolutely done things in the past which were wrong. I am American and we certainly have our problems. In our case we hang them out on the laundry line for all to see.

However nothing can be solved by posting this flag. It violated the rules the athletes agreed to and was disrespectful.

If there are issues with other flags or symbols they should be taken up independently (treated as a separate issue). It sounds like this was done as well.

since Japan has "no space to pay attention to Seoul-Tokyo relations" at the moment.

totally true

hopefully the next sk president will be more competent than this nk appeasing dumpster fire of an administration

"masturbating with himself"

Isn't that usually the point?

A little "wolf warrior" diplomacy once in a while isn't a bad thing for Japan.

This is a case of life imitating bots: 'A senior Japanese diplomat had reportedly ridiculed Moon's desire to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, describing the South Korean leader as "masturbating with himself".' Let us do a public service and note that the offending phrase carries a redundancy: "with himself."

The senior diplomat ought to bone up on elementary logic before speaking again.

@Mark....haha you are right....sorry about that

I wish SK would grow up. IF it was even said (presumably by a staff member), the context was obvious. At worst - a poor choice of words. Not much compared to the language from SK to Japan re the 'comfort women' which was how long ago?

Septim DynastyToday  02:33 pm JST

No country even listens or appreciates Japan anymore.

Far far more than South Korea. Even China and Russia do.

With the issues that Japan is dealing with now, a meeting with Moon, who will not be in office next year and has done more to damage SK-JPN relations than any other SK President since Syngman Rhee, is of absolutely no importance whatsoever.

The Japanese Embassador should be in a geriatric.

Please make politicians retire at 65, so we do not need to hear these news again.

I cant see the problem. Unbelievable. Just a bit of banter.

Have Koreans lost any sense of humor?

Perhaps Japanese diplomats should start openly taunting Moon about prison. All Korean Presidents are traditionally imprisoned after they are ousted.

Not very diplomatic language…

Mr. Blinken will be along in a few days to hold hands and calm both sides down so they can talk to each other.

The last time I heard, China was threatening to create a "Japan Exception" to its nuclear doctrine and nuke Japan first. Japan is the only country on earth China is willing to nuke first. That's how much China hates Japan, and Korea is not far behind.

It's a hollow threat. Japan would not enter such a war alone but as part of a coalition with the US. No nuclear power is going to initiate a nuclear exchange with the US or one of its allies unless the country faces imminent destruction and has nothing left to loose, knowing the US will respond in kind, with interest leaving China a burnt cinder China will only act if it thinks it can take Taiwan without provoking a nuclear war with the US and the US will tailor its defense of Taiwan in ways meant not to provoke nuclear reprisal from China by confining its response to strictly defending Taiwan and not making it a wider war aimed at destroying China.

Is it an international event?

Is South Korea using it for another opportunity for them to complain about WWII? Guess so

I do understand the frustration with S. Korea and the Moon administration.

Remarks from South Korean Politicians towards Japan has been even worse.

-When you burn Japanese flags, insult the Emperor, behead doll ISIS style with Abe face on it. When you smash Japanese product and boycott on mass Japanese companies, when you built comfort women statues around the world bashing Japan and using it as a political tool.

-When you go back on aggrements signed, multiple times 1965 and then 2015. When you say over 55 apologies never happened, even Suga apologies.

Dear South Korea.... This is the consequences of your actions towards Japan.

You treat Japan like dirt for decades and you get upset when we finally stand up for ourselves. So typical and bias as always. They also wanted to stay on Japan best friends list economically while they constantly trash us in every way possible.

When will S. Korea and Japan figure out that they're both on the same side in Asia?

They have to cooperate if they want to see democracy flourish in the darkening shadows China is casting.

Who's the winner in all of this bickering between S. Korea and Japan? China

President Moon will no longer come to Japan. I wonder if his feelings were hurt? Am sure anti Japan feelings are strong in Seoul this morning. More burning of Japanese flags and hanging our politicians in efficacy.

*The last time I heard, China was threatening to create a "Japan Exception" to its nuclear doctrine and nuke Japan first. Japan is the only country on earth China is willing to nuke first. That's how much China hates Japan, and Korea is not far behind.*

Nah, China will allow North Korea to do that honor.

Ethnic Koreans whichever color of passports they carry, who keep cursing and spitting on Japan despite living their lives in Japan are the lower than lowest losers. Don't you think?

That’s what I call the sawtooth effect, when people climbing career ladders or promoted into elite positions or born in wealth and noblesse use a fine and educated language and then suddenly fall into a use of words that are taboos or not even used by people much below us average people. You can watch this effect quite often and it’s always funny and astonishing, because completely unexpected to hear from those. lol

Don't expect resolution when you send 2 old men to sort out the problem.

What is the point of talking? Any agreement made with South Korea will not last a year before being broken by Seoul. I would tell Moon and his cronies they are not welcome in Japan. Just athletes and coaches allowed. Remember all of those Japanese politicians not allowed to enter South Korea? I think this Japanese diplomat hit the nail on the head with his remark.

Japan still holding imperial-era's prejudice and arrogance ov er neighbouring country! Even they were now under US military occupation for 76years, their attitudes wan t different! The "Masturbating" remarks was very rude and uneducated, nothing a professional diplomat should be! Like father like sonm, the old and unprofound leader like Aso Taro has a bad influences!

@elephant200 again what is the point in talks? Seoul will break any agreement within a year.

stormcrowToday  10:16 am JST

When will S. Korea and Japan figure out that they're both on the same side in Asia?

They have to cooperate if they want to see democracy flourish in the darkening shadows China is casting.

Who's the winner in all of this bickering between S. Korea and Japan? China

Japan already knows what side they are on. That they have joined the QUAD makes this perfectly clear.

It is South Korea, and South Korea alone that continues to play both sides of the coin, constantly disrupting the U.S. position vis-a-vis China and North Korea. Until the US slaps it into line. Dumping Moon will be the firt step to resolving the problem.

 I would tell Moon and his cronies they are not welcome in Japan.

Mr. Moon has decided not to visit Japan for the Olympics.

A senior Japanese diplomat had reportedly ridiculed Moon's desire to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, describing the South Korean leader as "masturbating with himself".

I am not sure what other kind of masturbation there is. Maybe the good diplomat can enlighten us?

@kenny G: Ethnic Koreans whichever color of passports they carry, who keep cursing and spitting on Japan despite living their lives in Japan are the lower than lowest losers. Don't you think?

No! I dont think so! The Koreans were specially under intimidation by Japanese fascist group! They willfully made death threat chanting loudly with their nasty slogans through loudspeakers in city! And those fascist vehicles touring every where to express their hatred over Koreans or Chinese! This is beyond the freedom of speech! Those death threat yelling behaviours were unacceptable and must be sanctioned by law! Why Japan doing nothing to stop these thugs? Maybe Pyongyang or Seoul has done something wrong at Japan but tolerance these hostile behaviour in a lawful country must be having some dark political issue!

It is not a lewd remark.

Using th word masturbate in the figurative sense does not make it an inappropriate term by itself.

What is inappropriate is to believe the Korean President is over thinking positively about the current relationship between South and Japan.

People seem to be focusing on the “with himself” aspect and calling it redundant. Assuming that the act can only be performed on oneself is sad and absolutely incorrect.

Boycott Japan.

Or something.

Ethnic Koreans whichever color of passports they carry, who keep cursing and spitting on Japan despite living their lives in Japan are the lower than lowest losers. Don't you think?

No you got it wrong. Japanese nationals who worship war criminals, glorify imperialism, deny history and propagate historic revisionism through propaganda end education are lower than the lowest losers.

The deputy chief who made the remark is removed from his post and is being recalled to Japan.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/07/819c967e7d50-breaking-news-japan-s-korea-to-continue-dialogue-to-improve-relations-suga.html

Japan to remove deputy envoy to South Korea for improper remark about Moon

@garbonzo

IF it was even said (presumably by a staff member)

The person who said was the staff chief at Japanese embassy, and he admitted he said that exact sentence in Korean(no translation misunderstanding), although he claimed it was a slip of tongue and apologized. 

@OssanJapan

Even China and Russia do.

The last time I heard, China was threatening to create a "Japan Exception" to its nuclear doctrine and nuke Japan first. Japan is the only country on earth China is willing to nuke first. That's how much China hates Japan, and Korea is not far behind.

https://www.opindia.com/2021/07/china-threatens-to-nuke-japan-non-stop-if-it-tries-to-defend-taiwan/

China threatens to nuke Japan non-stop if it tries to defend Taiwan, says it is making an ‘exception’ in the no first use policy for Japan

In a video uploaded on a Chinese Military channel on Xigua Video, CCP said that even if Japan deploys only one soldier, one plane and one ship in support of Taiwan, it will start a full-scale war against Japan starting with nukes

I am not sure what other kind of masturbation there is. Maybe the good diplomat can enlighten us?

I can. Masturbating with someone else. This isn't even an uncommon thing.

Fighto!Today  10:29 am JST

I cant see the problem. Unbelievable. Just a bit of banter.

Have Koreans lost any sense of humor?

Perhaps Japanese diplomats should start openly taunting Moon about prison. All Korean Presidents are traditionally imprisoned after they are ousted.

That's because so many politicians should be imprisoned. They got it right. More Japanese prime ministers should be imprisoned but the people are too weak, ignorant, and sycophantic to understand this.

"Diplomat" (finger quotes)

I think he hit the nail on the head! LOL

And the saddest thing is that these two long time vassals of the United States could, if they could only find a cure for their pathological sibling rivalry, join together and, united, would become yet another 'major power' in the Western Pacific and would be able to throw off the American slave collars and chart their own course vis-à-vis China, the U.S., Russia, or any other pugnacious state. 

Without those nasty terrible US "slave masters" Japan and South Korea would last at most a month against the Chinese. They would become true vassals of China and then you would know what subjugation is all about.

William BjornsonToday  01:51 am JST

And the saddest thing is that these two long time vassals of the United States could, if they could only find a cure for their pathological sibling rivalry, join together and, united, would become yet another 'major power' in the Western Pacific and would be able to throw off the American slave collars and chart their own course vis-à-vis China, the U.S., Russia, or any other pugnacious state.

These two vassals have thrived because of the United States. And have lived without war for over 60-70 years.

Thanks to the USA.

The last time I heard, China was threatening to create a "Japan Exception" to its nuclear doctrine and nuke Japan first. Japan is the only country on earth China is willing to nuke first. That's how much China hates Japan, and Korea is not far behind.

Nah, China will allow North Korea to do that honor.

He does not deserve a diplomtat. Stupid. Let him return to Japan and kick him out. In the meantime, there are many such dumb diplomats in Foreign Ministry in Japan. After the war, there is no room Japan's foreign ministry to play diplomacy under the peace constitution. As a result, they are all relaxed. We are wasting tax money.

@Desert Tortoise: Mr. Moon has decided not to visit Japan for the Olympics.

Nothing can strengthen the idea that Korea and Japan are siblings than the 'neurotic little sisters' tone of their diplomatic exchanges. Every possible little otherwise innocuous thing is looked for and, when found, magnified to a point where, for an individual, psychological counseling at the least or even commitment might be a salient and rational response. And the saddest thing is that these two long time vassals of the United States could, if they could only find a cure for their pathological sibling rivalry, join together and, united, would become yet another 'major power' in the Western Pacific and would be able to throw off the American slave collars and chart their own course vis-à-vis China, the U.S., Russia, or any other pugnacious state. But constant bickering is more satisfying to them than their own national interests and both bear the shame of long term military subjugation and occupation by a psychopathic State who would abandon them or use them as Human shields in a heartbeat if that seemed best for that State(s). Where's the sanity here, guys?

I cant see the problem. Unbelievable. Just a bit of banter.

Have Koreans lost any sense of humor?

@Fighto - Had it been a Korean diplomat using that sort of language, what are the chances you'd be all over it, claiming it to be 'yet another evidence of SK being childish etc etc"? ;)

Not very diplomatic or suitable language for a gentleman. Why was it necessary hurl insults? He thinks its his job? He really gets paid for that?

Fire him. Such a nasty comment from a supposedly grown up adult.

Such is the ‘diplomacy’ of senior Japanese diplomats.

No wonder why Japan is failing because its diplomats are mostly uneducated elites like Taro Aso. No country even listens or appreciates Japan anymore.

I guess this is what you would normally expect from Japanese politicians. Lack of class.

'"While it is true that such terms were used during the conversation it was not directed at President Moon," Ambassador Koichi Aiboshi said in a statement.'

Either way, being a diplomat and saying that -- you should be kicked out.