The Sankei Shimbun editorial sharply criticizes South Korea’s move to support UNESCO registration of comfort women materials, reaffirming the binding nature of the Japan–South Korea agreement and condemning the political misuse of international institutions.

2017-07-18

In a rare example of uncompromising editorial clarity, the Sankei Shimbun denounces South Korea’s plan to promote comfort women materials for UNESCO registration, calling it a violation of the Japan–ROK agreement and a blatant act of anti-Japan political propaganda that undermines regional stability.

2017-07-18

Below is yesterday’s editorial from the Sankei Shimbun.
This is what can truly be called a sound argument—and a proper editorial of the Japanese media.

(All emphasis in the text, except for the headline, is mine.)

Is “Anti-Japan Propaganda” Their Job?
South Korea’s Minister of Gender Equality and Family

Is their primary mission really “anti-Japan propaganda”?
South Korean Minister of Gender Equality and Family Chung Hyun-baek has stated that the government intends to support the registration of comfort women–related materials as part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World program.

It is hard to believe one’s ears.

On the 10th of this month, during her first on-site inspection since assuming office, she remarked that the Japan–South Korea agreement “must be discussed once again.”
This perception itself is fundamentally mistaken.

The agreement clearly states that the issue was resolved in a “final and irreversible” manner.
In other words, it is a promise between nations not to reopen the comfort women issue.
There can be no renegotiation, and it is only natural that the Japanese government will not comply.

She further stated that government funds would be allocated to support the registration of comfort women materials, and also revealed plans for a national comfort women museum.
How far must Japan be demeaned before they are satisfied?
Is there truly no other work to be done?

The Memory of the World registration effort has been promoted by South Korean civic groups.
However, their claims—such as portraying comfort women as forcibly abducted “sex slaves”—are based on factual errors.
In reality, this can be described as nothing other than an anti-Japan movement.

Since the Japan–South Korea agreement concluded the year before last, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family had not been involved in this registration effort.
This latest statement constitutes a clear violation of the agreement’s provision that both sides will refrain from criticizing or condemning each other in international forums, including the United Nations.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga criticized the move, stating that it “could run counter to UNESCO’s founding principles and objectives of promoting friendship and mutual understanding among member states.”
The political exploitation of UNESCO is, of course, unacceptable.

Comfort women statues in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul and the Consulate-General in Busan have yet to be removed.
Japan should lodge firm protests on this matter as well.

The responsibility of the Moon Jae-in administration, which permits Minister Chung’s remarks, is grave.
Although President Moon himself has not explicitly called for renegotiation since taking office, he has stated in summit talks that the agreement is “not a final settlement.”

He claims that “the majority of the public cannot emotionally accept the agreement,” but it is precisely the duty of leaders to explain the significance of international commitments.
It should also be noted that more than 70 percent of former comfort women have accepted support programs based on the agreement.

Given the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, a stance that not only tolerates but actively fuels anti-Japan sentiment is extremely harmful.