By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

President Roh Moo-hyun on Friday called Japan to ``action,’’ to actively reflect the apologies Japanese leaders have made for the atrocities Japan committed during World War II.

During a meeting with Japanese political leaders at Chong Wa Dae, Roh emphasized that actions are more important than words, criticizing some Japanese politicians whose actions go ``against the spirit of the apology and the reflections that Japan made previously.’’

``What the South Korean government and people want is not new apologies from Japan, but concrete reparations suitable to the apologies already made,’’ Roh said. He said there will not be an official demand for a new apology from Tokyo at the government level.

``Another apology without action will instead cause public unease with the Japanese government,’’ the president said.

The Japanese delegation includes Tsutomu Takebe, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, and his New Komeito Party counterpart Tetsuzo Fuyushiba.

Takebe delivered a personal letter from Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi carrying Koizumi’s determination to settle a row with Seoul, according to Chong Wa Dae officials.

In a speech at a summit of Asian and African leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 22, Koizumi expressed ``deep remorse’’ for the atrocities committed by Japan during its colonization of Asian neighbors before and during World War II, in a move to ease tensions with its neighboring countries, including South Korea and China.

But the efforts were eclipsed by the pilgrimage of a group of Japanese Diet members’ on the same day to a Tokyo shrine that honors war dead, including class-A war criminals.

``Of course, we evaluate the prime minister’s efforts to make such apologies,’’ the president said, adding that the South Korean people want actions conducive to improving the soured relations between the two countries.

The Japanese politicians also met National Assembly Speaker Kim Won-ki and leaders of the ruling Uri Party and main opposition Grand National Party to discuss ways of restoring bilateral relations.

They are also considering paying a visit to the Independence Hall in Chonan, South Chungchong Province, where the nation’s independence fighters during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea (1910-45) are respected, sources said.

Seoul-Tokyo ties have turned sour in recent months after Japan renewed its claim on Dokdo, South Korea’s easternmost islets. The Japanese government also approved a new history textbook that critics say whitewashes its wartime atrocities.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr