South Korea's president criticizes Japan during meeting with US defense secretary
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South Korea's president has criticized Japan over historical and territorial disputes during a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
Seoul and Tokyo have long bickered over the ownership of tiny islets, a Japanese war shrine and other issues stemming from Japan's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910-1945. Their ties have further soured due to recent nationalistic events and remarks in Japan.
President Park Geun-hye was quoted as saying in a statement Monday that trust between Seoul and Tokyo has not been established due to Japanese leaders' repeated "regressive" remarks on history and territorial issues.
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Park made the comments after Hagel expressed hopes for improved ties between Seoul and Japan.
She says Japan must show a sincere attitude toward a people still suffering from colonial occupation.