Hirohisa Soma, who caused controversy over inappropriate remarks about President Moon Jae-in, returned to Japan on the 11th. It has been 25 days since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea summoned Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Aiboshi on the 17th of last month and demanded that “promptly take tangible and appropriate measures”.
Soma Corporation departed through Incheon International Airport in the morning and arrived at Narita Airport in Japan in the afternoon. However, he left the arrival hall of the airport without answering any questions from reporters.
Earlier, during a conversation with a JTBC official on the 15th of last month, Soma Corporation caused a great controversy by using the expression ‘masturbation’ in relation to President Moon’s efforts to improve relations between Korea and Japan. This issue arose during negotiations between South Korea and Japan regarding President Moon’s visit to Japan in time for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, and there is an opinion that the Japanese government’s passive response influenced the cancellation of the visit.
After the Korean government demanded ‘reasonable measures’ for the Soma Corporation, the Japanese government ordered a return to Korea on the 1st of this month. However, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, at a regular press conference on the 10th, responded to the fact that it was not a disciplinary action in relation to the order to return to Japan, saying, “It takes into account the tenure of office and rotation of all employees.” .
In general, when returning to Korea after completing the task of general affairs of the Japanese embassy in Korea, he is transferred to the position of director general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but there is an observation that there is a high possibility that he will remain without a position for the time being because the Korean government may object in the case of Soma. From now on, the general affairs of the Japanese Embassy in Korea will be served concurrently by Naoki Kumagai, the Minister of Political Affairs.
Tokyo = Jinju Choi correspondent pariscom@hankookilbo.com
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