Japanese government officials have been quick to react to President Lee Myung-bak's recent remarks directed at the Japanese Emperor.
Earlier this week President Lee said, that the Japanese Emperor should first apologize to Korea's independence activists who were killed during Japan's colonial rule, if he ever wants to visit Korea.
In response Tokyo's Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba told the Japanese media that Tokyo had filed an official complaint over Lee's statement to Seoul through diplomatic channels.
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda also expressed regret over the remarks.
In a show of protest, incumbent Japanese cabinet members and dozens of lawmakers, visited the Yasukuni Shrine to pay their respects to fallen soldiers including 14 class-A war criminals.
It was the first time that sitting Japanese cabinet members made the controversial visit, since the Democratic Party assumed power in 2009.

Reporter : jiwonpark@arirang.co.kr