Japanese book dispute could cloud emperor's W. Cup visit
Japanese book dispute could cloud emperor's W. Cup visit
SEOUL (AFP): South Korea's influential soccer chief has called
for a political dispute with Tokyo over history textbooks to be
ended to enable a historic visit by Japan's emperor for the World
Cup next year.
Chung Mong-joon, co-chairman of the Korean organizing
committee and a vice president of the international soccer
governing body, FIFA, called for efforts to resolve the dispute
so Emperor Akihito can make what would be a spectacular gesture
of reconciliation.
The two countries are co-hosting the tournament in what is
seen as a major attempt to end decades of animosity.
No official invitation has been made to Emperor Akihito to
become the first head of the Japanese royal family to visit Korea
since the end of Japan's brutal occupation of the Korean
peninsula in 1945.
But press reports in both countries have said Akihito could
attend the 2002 World Cup opening match in Seoul next year. Under
the co-hosting arrangement the final will be in Japan.
In a speech late Monday to a World Cup media seminar, Chung,
who is considering standing for president of South Korea, said:
"Recently we have experienced certain difficulty between Korea
and Japan to the 'Japanese history textbook' issue.
"However we hope that such issues can be fully resolved so
that the Japanese emperor will be able to attend the May 31
opening match to be held in Seoul."
South Korea recalled its ambassador to Tokyo on Monday in
protest at Japan's approval of history text books accused of
whitewashing Japan's wartime record. There have been public
protests. China has also expressed anger at the books.
South Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister Yim Sung-Joon said the
books dispute "could affect the basis of relations between South
Korea and Japan." Officials have not said if there will be any
impact on the World Cup.
Chung told how a Japanese magazine claimed five years ago that
Korea intentionally conceded the final to Japan to force the
Japanese emperor to attend the opening match in Korea.
"Charges of such 'Korean conspiracy' is an over-estimation of
the Korean ability," the soccer chief said. "We appreciate their
concern that we may have the capability to use such smart
strategic moves.
He added: "Since this will be the first World Cup to be held
in Asia, we sincerely hope that the Japanese emperor, the Chinese
president, Indian president and the king of Saudi Arabia and many
Asian leaders will indeed attend the opening ceremony for the
2002 World Cup.
"I am sure that such a show of support would surely open doors
toward new peace and cooperation in the Asian region."
There have been disputes between the World Cup co-hosts over
the official title of the event. But Chung said that "the
relationship between the two countries has been very
cooperative."
FIFA awarded the World Cup to two countries for the first time
in 1996 to end fierce rival lobbying by South Korea and Japan to
become the first Asian country to stage the event.
At the seminar, officials reaffirmed that all the stadiums in
the two countries would be ready on time.