Condolences in South Korea over the death of former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama: President Lee mentions the ”Murayama Statement” as having ”impressed the people of neighboring countries”

He served as the 81st Prime Minister of the coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the New Party Sakigake, which was formed in 1994, and in 1995 issued the "Murayama Statement," which officially apologized for Japan's prewar occupation of the Korean Peninsula.
South Korean media also reported the news of the death of the well-known figure, Tomiichi Murayama, on the 17th. President Lee Jae-myung and both the ruling and opposition parties also expressed their condolences.
Mr. Murayama is a former member of Oita Prefecture. After graduating from Meiji University's Department of Politics and Economics, he joined the labor movement in the Oita Prefecture Employees' Union and later joined the Socialist Party.
He began his career as a politician by winning the Oita City Council election. After serving as a prefectural assembly member, he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1972. After the non-LDP coalition government of the Hosokawa and Haneda coalition cabinets, he was appointed Prime Minister in 1994.
During his term in office, he responded to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack. He also delivered a speech (
The Murayama Statement was issued, stating that "Japan has made a mistake in its national policy, embarked on the path to war, and plunged the nation into a life-or-death crisis. Through colonial rule and aggression, it has caused great suffering to the people of many countries, especially those in Asia.
"I once again express my deepest remorse and heartfelt apologies for the damage caused to the people of Japan. I have faced large-scale disasters, heinous crimes, and various political issues, and in January 1996, I was elected president.
He resigned as Minister and retired from politics in June 2000. His trademark was his long eyebrows, and he was affectionately known as "Ton-chan," making him a popular prime minister. On the 17th of this month, Murayama passed away due to old age.
He passed away at a hospital in Oita City due to a heart attack. He was 101 years old. South Korean media also reported on Mr. Murayama's passing. The Chosun Ilbo newspaper said, "Murayama, who has advocated for peace,
He focused on resolving historical issues surrounding Japan's invasions and colonial rule and improving relations with neighboring countries," he said, describing his achievements during his time as prime minister.
"It was the first time that he officially referred to colonial rule as 'invasion.'" He explained that the content of the speech was "a significant step forward, considering the atmosphere in the Japanese government at the time."
Both the ruling and opposition parties expressed their condolences. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea described Murayama as "a courageous leader who offered a sincere apology and demonstrated an awareness of history."
Regarding the speech, he said, "It has become the spiritual foundation for Korea and Japan to move beyond the unfortunate past and move towards mutual understanding, reconciliation, and a future-oriented cooperative relationship."
"It is unfortunate that former Prime Minister Murayama has not inherited his spirit of sincere remorse and apology and is instead showing a regressive attitude toward historical issues," he said. "Japanese politics should reaffirm the will of the late Prime Minister, stand humbly before history, and build on the Murayama spirit."
The main opposition People's Power Party also said of Murayama, "He acknowledges the historical fact that the acts of colonial rule and aggression caused enormous damage and suffering.
He expressed his determination to apologize when necessary and to compensate where compensation was due. His speech, which became an important foundation for improving relations with East Asian countries, demonstrated Japan's conscience. It marked an important turning point in history.
He went on to say, "His footsteps of facing history squarely and looking towards the future have shown the necessary direction for Japan and its neighboring countries to achieve true reconciliation," and added, "Japan must act from now on.
However, in the spirit of former Prime Minister Murayama, they must reflect on their mistakes and muster the courage to offer a sincere apology." President Lee Jae-myung also posted on his SNS on the 17th, "The Korean people
On behalf of the people of the country, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences." He then added, "Former Prime Minister Murayama made extraordinary efforts for reconciliation and coexistence with neighboring countries," and commented on the "Murayama Statement" as "Japan's
"It deeply touched the hearts of the people of our neighboring countries and made a deep impression on them," Lee added. "I would like to praise the noble aspirations of former Prime Minister Murayama, who faced history squarely and moved forward toward the future, and I would like to thank him for his contributions to the development of Korea-Japan relations."
"I hope to forever remember the deceased's achievements and dedication," he wrote. Lee also posted the same memorial message in Japanese.