South Korea expressed regret Friday about Japan recalling its ambassador over the new "comfort women" statue in Busan, and Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se summoned the envoy to discuss the matter.
Earlier in the day, the Japanese government announced that it was temporarily recalling Ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine to protest the erection last week of a statue outside the Japanese Consulate in the southern port city of Busan.
Describing Japan's decision as "extremely regrettable," the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement that "both countries should continue to develop South Korea-Japan relations, based on a relationship of trust between the governments, even if there are difficult issues."