President Yoon Suk Yeol on July 12 pays his respects at the mourning altar for the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul's Jongno-gu District.
By Kim Eun-young and Kim Hayeon
Photos = Office of the 20th President
President Yoon Suk Yeol on July 12 visited a mourning altar for the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to offer condolences at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul's Jongno-gu District.
Looking at the photo of the late leader, the president paid a silent tribute in front of the altar.
In the condolence book, Yoon wrote, "I pray for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who dedicated himself to Asia's prosperity and development," adding, "I express my deepest sympathy to his bereaved family and the Japanese people."
"I hope Korea and Japan, as the closest neighbors to each other, will closely cooperate going forward."
President Yoon Suk Yeol on July 12 wrote a condolence message at a mourning altar for the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. Shown here is a photo of the deceased and the president's message in the condolence book.
"We hope that President Yoon's visit to the altar is an opportunity to reconfirm that Korea and Japan are close neighbors who share values and rules," presidential spokesperson Kang In-sun wrote in a statement.
"Also, we hope that this is a new starting point for bilateral relations."
On the same day, business leaders visited the altar including Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won.
Two days before Japan's upper house elections, the former prime minister died on July 8 after being shot and rushed to a hospital.
President Yoon sent a condolatory message to the deceased's widow Akie Abe, saying, "I express condolences and consolation to his bereaved family and the Japanese people.”
The chief executive plans to send a condolatory delegation consisting of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Jin-suk to a memorial ceremony jointly hosted by the Japanese government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
