South Korea decided ahead of its president's 1990 Japan visit to call for a stronger apology from then-Emperor Akihito than given by his predecessor for the 1910-1945 colonization of the Korean Peninsula, according to diplomatic records declassified in Seoul on Monday.
South Korea also planned for then President Roh Tae-woo to invite the former emperor, father of reigning monarch Emperor Naruhito, to visit on that occasion if it was satisfied with his remarks, the records also showed.
During a banquet hosted at the Imperial Palace for Roh in May 1990, Emperor Akihito said he could not help but feel "the deepest regret." Apparently satisfied with his remarks, the South Korean president invited the emperor to visit South Korea.