[HIGHLIGHTS] South Korean president's comments on Japan are controversial in his own country

On Monday, April 24, South Korea normalized its trade relations with Japan. Since 2019, after a dispute over compensation for Japanese war crimes, the two countries had imposed trade restrictions.

President Yoon Suk-yeol said he "would not accept Japan kneeling before 100 years of history" His foreign policy vis-à-vis Japan was seen as humiliating, neglecting Korean interests in favor of the Japanese. Despite diplomatic rapprochements in recent months, South Koreans are still waiting for an official apology from Tokyo.