A: Hey, Yuki! Guess what I heard about today?
B: What is it, Takeshi?

A: Lee Jae-myung, the South Korean president, wants to improve ties with Japan! He said we're an important partner for their economic development.
B: Really? I didn't know that! He also mentioned something about facing the past and looking forward?

A: Yeah, he talked about this year being the 60th anniversary of the normalization of relations with Japan. Lee said they'll focus on national interests and have open discussions with Japan.
B: Wow, that sounds good! I hope it works out between our countries.

A: Well, not everything is perfect. Some Japanese lawmakers visited a controversial shrine in Tokyo, which hurt feelings in South Korea. It's a place that honors war dead, but some leaders convicted of war crimes are also remembered there.
B: Oh no... I can see why it would upset them. Let's hope they find a way to resolve this issue peacefully.

A: You're right. On the bright side, China is encouraging Japan to face history squarely and make the right choices. They said only those who confront their past can be respected.
B: That makes sense. We need to learn from our history to move forward together, don't we? Let's hope things get better between our countries!
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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has underscored his resolve to promote cooperation with Japan, calling it an "indispensable partner for economic development."



Lee delivered a speech on Friday at a ceremony in Seoul to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japanese colonial rule.



Lee noted this year is also the 60th anniversary of the normalization of relations with Japan. He said it was time to squarely face the past, while wisely stepping forward into the future.



He said South Korea will be guided by the principle of engaging in pragmatic diplomacy focused on national interests.



Based on this, he said he will seek forward-looking, mutually beneficial cooperation with Japan by holding frank dialogues through "shuttle diplomacy," a term that refers to reciprocal visits by the two countries' leaders.



Lee also expressed hope that the Japanese government will squarely face up to the painful history between the two countries and strive to maintain trust between them.



The South Korean Foreign Ministry has responded with "disappointment and regret" to visits by Japanese lawmakers to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Friday.



Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan's war dead. Those remembered include leaders convicted of war crimes after World War Two.



Cabinet ministers were among the lawmakers who paid visits.



Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru did not go but made a private cash offering in his capacity as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party.



In its statement, the South Korean government expressed "deep disappointment and regret over the fact that responsible leaders of Japan have once again sent offerings to and paid respects at the Yasukuni Shrine which glorifies Japan's war of aggression and enshrines war criminals."



Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reiterated China's position regarding historical issues between Japan and China.



Wang spoke to reporters in the southern province of Yunnan on Friday as Japan marked 80 years since the end of World War Two.



The minister called it a war of aggression waged by Japanese militarists that brought grave disaster not only to the people of China and other Asian nations but also hurt the Japanese people themselves.



Wang noted that even today, some forces in Japan are trying to glorify the invasion, distort history and rewrite it.



He said that such actions are shameful and demeaning.



He added that only those who squarely face up to history can be respected and urged Japan to make the right choice.
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Quiz 1:
What is South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's view on Japan, according to the article?
A. An indispensable partner for economic development
B. A historical enemy
C. A potential military threat
D. A source of cultural inspiration

[Answer block]
Quiz 1: A

Quiz 2:
Which leader did not visit Yasukuni Shrine, according to the article?
A. Lee Jae-myung
B. Ishiba Shigeru
C. Wang Yi
D. Japanese lawmakers

[Answer block]
Quiz 2: B

Quiz 3:
Which of the following best describes Yasukuni Shrine?
A. A shrine that honors Korean war dead
B. A shrine that glorifies Japan's war of aggression and enshrines war criminals
C. A shrine dedicated to peace and reconciliation between Japan and its neighbors
D. A museum dedicated to the history of World War Two in Asia

[Answer block]
Quiz 3: B