Seoul cancels permit for new Japanese embassy building

I am always surprised by the number of poster that seem to appear in this kind of post. What is that, is it some kind of paid propaganda ? Or a particular active group ? Has JapanToday so much views that it deserves a particular treatment from those groups ?

"full, heartfelt apology"

Someone please explain to me what this is

It's like full, heartfelt everlasting gratitude S.Koreans must owe Japan for their country's modernization

It seemd that building regulations were not met. Nothing more.

"full, heartfelt apology"

Someone please explain to me what this is

This is the tired standby statement used by the anti-Japan crowd to immediately dismiss any and all apologies offered by Japan.

"Oh, b-b-but, Japanese officials didn't get down on bended knees and grovel for forgiveness with tears in eyes."

And so on and so forth. And even if someone did do that, they would STILL moan about insincere apologies.

A great way for the immature and ignorant masses to perpetually have an out to continue to demonize Japan.

"Well done, South Korea!"

That's right, Well done South Korea, you just made a fool of yourselves. Again .

You what it really interesting about this? Korea has a cool Embassy in the heart of Tokyo. In fact, it is in Minami Azabu. One of the coolest area of Tokyo. The Koreans had no problems getting a new building in Tokyo. Yet, in Seoul, Japan has all these problems. It really shows you what country is the better nation.

Someone please explain to me what this is.

Something like "I am really sorry for what i did to you", as oppose to "it is regrettable that many people suffered during the war". One contains admission of guilt and remorse, the other one does not.

Well done, South Korea!

"full, heartfelt apology"

Someone please explain to me what this is.

What's really bad is all the money that has been paid out to S.Korea in the past as compensation has no route to the actual victims. That is because the Japanese government pays directly to the Korean government and god know what the Korean government used that money on. That is how they keep the victims angry. Just think about it...They keep the public angry, make Japan look bad, and they leverage more money from us. Even if we do compensate this time around, that money is most ikely not going to the victims and the Korean government will come up with some BS 5 years from now, get public support to riot, and spread the news globally to make Japan look bad. and Japan goes "not again..."

I do not understand why the J government stands for this...

Perhaps it might not be a bad ideal to sever relations with South Korea as negotiating with them is a waste of time. Any agreement with the South is a waste of paper.

If Japan offered a “heartfelt apology” tomorrow, I wonder how long it would take for these losers to be back on the streets asking for another “heartfelt apology”?

@YuriOtani

Perhaps it is time to withdraw our embassy from South Korea and kick their out of Japan.

The only way to do that is for Japan to severe diplomatic ties with Korea. Otherwise the land on which the Korean embassy in Tokyo sits on is considered the Korean territory and is out of Japan's legal jurisdiction.

This is why the UK can't just kick doors of the Ecuadorian Embassy and arrest Julian Assange, because the Ecuadorian Embassy in London is legally not a UK territory.

"But South Korean President Moon Jae-in said last year that the deal had been signed by his ousted predecessor Park Geun-hye without consulting the Korean victims and disbanded a foundation set up with the Japanese funds."

That is not our problem! that is S.Koreas problem. The people of S.korea voted her to be in office. Not Japan...Sounds like an complete excuse to take more money from us.

Perhaps it is time to withdraw our embassy from South Korea and kick their out of Japan.

proxyToday  12:16 pm JST

I recommend everyone read the Jason Morgan story on comfort woman that appeared in Asia Times on April 9th. It would be an eye opener for Koreans.

This is truly a great read towards the issue.

https://z743.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mirror-much-of-what-you-may-think-you-know-about-korean-comfort-women-is-wrong-task-purpose/

This article is making an issue out of nothing. The permit expired so it was canceled. Plain and simple, nothing related to comfort women, or any diplomatic relations between japan and korea...

Samit BasuToday 10:59 am JST

The building permit expired; it was issued years ago but Japanese government sat on it, because Abe san refuses to build an embassy at the present location where the comfort woman statue is erected and the forced laborers are campaigning to erect their own sta

I am surprised to see that this is an issue for Japan only in Korea, the statues in Hong Kong in front of the Japanese consulate are way more visible and in a huge traffic area, add to that numerous posters of the war actions.

https://cdn1.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/images/methode/2018/02/01/437e9676-0718-11e8-82e3-6b95ccc67ee3_1280x720_164751.JPG?itok=Pss5A209

I hope the two countries can work together to create a better relationship . . . . They are after all neighbors.

I recommend everyone read the Jason Morgan story on comfort woman that appeared in Asia Times on April 9th. It would be an eye opener for Koreans.

Joe Blow

Easy solution: tariffs on South Korean goods. 

Except that Japan runs a trade surplus against Korea and would lose in any trade war.

It will be renewed, as simple as that.

Long live Northeast Asia.

Easy solution: tariffs on South Korean goods. If that's not enough, sanctions!

95% of this article is not about the construction of the new embassy. Whats the agenda of the writer?

@alwaysspeakingwisdom

Japan should just sell the land and build somewhere else in Seoul.

That's an impossible task, because local residents oppose relocation of Japanese embassy in their neighborhood since it is a protest magnet; they want to live quietly and not attract professional protesters in their neighborhood.

There is no neighborhood in Korea that would welcome a Japanese embassy. But Japan is not alone, locals don't want the US embassy either because of protest crowd everyday. Yes, the vast majority of Koreans love USA, but there are hardcore anti-USA protesters and their right to protest is guaranteed in democratic Korea, so...

So it is purely the Japanese government decision that they decided to let the construction permit expire, not anything of the Korean government's doing.

You contradict yourself. You say that it's not anything of the Korean government's doing.

Yet right above, you say that "Abe san" refuses to build at the location wehre a comfort woman statue is erected.

If there was no statue there, they would have built it there long ago. Absolutely no need for a comfort woman statue right in front of the Japanese embassy, pathetic the anti-Japan nationalists would use the comfort women issue to nitpick and subtly insult and harass Japan.

A statue of a "comfort woman" symbolizing the Korean women forced to work in Japanese military brothels mostly during World War II stands across the road from the embassy plot.

A who...le country can't build an embassy because of this " girl's" gaze . They do have a conscience after all !!

This is an incorrect article.

The building permit expired; it was issued years ago but Japanese government sat on it, because Abe san refuses to build an embassy at the present location where the comfort woman statue is erected and the forced laborers are campaigning to erect their own statues.

So it is purely the Japanese government decision that they decided to let the construction permit expire, not anything of the Korean government's doing.

Suggest the plot of land be sold to Lotte Corporation for the purpose of building a game arcade. The games will feature "Blow the Evil Nips out of the Water," based on simulations of Admiral Yi's vaunted turtle boat flotilla in action.

As the media loves promoting conflict between a small percentage of people and governments to make it look like 2 countries at war, common folk from South Korea and Japan are visiting each other's countries by the thousands and loving every minute.

Another day, another whiny South Korean complaint about, something related to Japan.

Grow up.

"full, heartfelt apology" = Give us some more money.

It seems to me that there is no need of the J embassy in S Korea any more.

The funny thing is that the embassy is not there anymore. It is empty lot now. Japan should just sell the land and build somewhere else in Seoul or bring the staff back to Japan.

No argument from me there.

"But I also think in contrast to that, the longer construction is held off, the greater the impact the protest group has. I stand by my first comment."

The funny thing is that the embassy is not there anymore. It is empty lot now. Japan should just sell the land and build somewhere else in Seoul or bring the staff back to Japan.

Because the Japanese government was and still is waiting for the statue to be removed from the site as per the agreement. If Japan started to build the new embassy it would send the message that they accepted the presence of the statue.

Don't get me wrong, I disagree with the placement of that particular statue as much as anyone. And it's a fair point you make about the Japanese government accepting the presence of the statue. But I also think in contrast to that, the longer construction is held off, the greater the impact the protest group has. I stand by my first comment... "whatever the reason..."

Time to cut back on tourist visas for South Koreans and up the tariffs on Korean goods.

That would be petty and counterproductive, only deepening the problem.

"Yeah. At first glance I was thinking "typical Korea anti Japan" but then reading a bit more it doesn't appear to be that at all. Permit issued 2016, one year commencement requirement, 2019 and nothing's been done.."

Because the Japanese government was and still is waiting for the statue to be removed from the site as per the agreement. If Japan started to build the new embassy it would send the message that they accepted the presence of the statue.

slow news day I suspect....

Yeah. At first glance I was thinking "typical Korea anti Japan" but then reading a bit more it doesn't appear to be that at all. Permit issued 2016, one year commencement requirement, 2019 and nothing's been done... I'm surprised it wasn't cancelled earlier. Let's not all jump onto the divisive bandwagon here.

SK, developed within 40 years since late 70s wants to go ahead no matter what to make once mighty Asian Japan bow 360 with large compensation in front of the world.

Never gonna happen. Never ever.

But keep protesting, keep making anti Japan films, keep educating the younger generation.

SK will suffer itself because of it's consistent greedy mentality.

someday Korea you need to start living in 2019.....not 1945

I wonder when the South Koreans will get tired of their own old song and dance, and realise that obsessing over the past could quite possibly be a large mental problem for them?

Whatever the reason for the delays, if it's law then it's law. I think this article is trying to make a big deal over nothing

slow news day I suspect....

But construction -- which under South Korean law must start within a year of a permit being received -- was repeatedly delayed.

Whatever the reason for the delays, if it's law then it's law. I think this article is trying to make a big deal over nothing.

Tit for tat...just wait, Japan will come up with a response in kind!

Another day, another anti-Japan rally in South Korea. Moon is doing this to cover up the terrible economy in SK. Time to cut back on tourist visas for South Koreans and up the tariffs on Korean goods.