South Korean Foreign Ministry Criticizes Kishidas Ritual Offering To Yasukuni Shrine

South Korea has expressed "deep disappointment and regret" over Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ritual offering to the Yasukuni shrine, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Kishida sent a ritual Masakaki offering on the occasion of the Shinto spring festival to the Yasukuni shrine, which is often regarded throughout Asia as a symbol of Japan's past militarism. Beijing also protested Kishida's decision and made representation to Tokyo.

"The government expresses deep disappointment and regret over the fact that officials of the level of Japan's leader once again sent offerings and paid pilgrimage to the Yasukuni shrine, which glorifies Japan's aggressive militarist past and contains (commemorative plaques) of war criminals," the ministry said in a statement.

South Korean also urged Japan "to look straight in the face of history" and show sincere remorse for its past "through action," according to the statement.