President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit a memorial altar in Seoul to pay his respects to the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. (Yonhap News)

By Kang Gahui and Yoon Sojung

President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit a memorial altar in Seoul to pay his respects to the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

Presidential spokesperson Kang In-sun on July 10 told a briefing, "President Yoon will soon visit a memorial altar prepared by the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to pay tribute to former (Japanese) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe."

Apart from the visit, the government will send a delegation to Japan to express its condolences led by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and comprising National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Jin-suk and other senior lawmakers.

Designated a special presidential envoy, the delegation will attend the official memorial service jointly hosted by Japan's government and ruling Liberal Democratic Party and pay respects at the tomb of the deceased before returning to Seoul.

A staff member at the presidential office was quoted as telling Yonhap News and other Korean media, "President Yoon has apparently decided to send those who can effectively convey to Japan his condolences," adding, "Deputy Speaker Chung is someone in particular who can deliver the president's stance well as he was once dispatched as the leader of the Korea-Japan policy consultative group as a member of the presidential transition committee."

Considering Japanese funeral customs, the delegation is expected to visit Tokyo late this month or early next month.

Earlier on July 8, President Yoon in a telegram told Akie Abe, the widow of the former Japanese leader, "I express my condolences and consolation to the bereaved family and the Japanese people."

kgh89@korea.kr