Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The trial of our former Seoul bureau chief, who was indicted without arrest on charges of defaming President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea (ROK), has convened for the tenth time today and is expected to reach a conclusion. Could you once again share with us your opinions on the details and progress of the case to date?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have received numerous questions on this topic in the forum of this press conference. As I have stated previously, the Government of Japan has used various means to continually express its concerns to the Government of the ROK about this case, from the perspective of freedom of the press and freedom of expression, as well as from the standpoint of Japan-ROK relations. We have consistently made strong requests for an appropriate response to be made. It is extremely regrettable that despite these efforts the situation has persisted through to today without any signs of improvement. The Government will continue to use various opportunities at various levels to request that the ROK make an appropriate response.

(Abridged)