North Korea Criticizes Japanese PM Takaichi Over Yasukuni Shrine Offering

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Saturday criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for making a ritual offering to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo, calling it a "challenge to international justice." Takaichi on Tuesday sent an offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japanese war dead, including 14 Class A criminals convicted by the Allied forces after World War II. Other prominent Japanese politicians visited the shrine. "(It) is blatant distortion of history and a challenge to international justice and peace," a Rodong Sinmun newspaper article read. "It is a place to pay respects to aggressors and war criminals who caused suffering that cannot be healed." The newspaper accused Tokyo of seeking to "disseminate" militarism through the shrine visits, calling on it to atone for the past. Japanese politicians have faced criticism for sending offerings or visiting the shrine, with neighboring countries, such as South Korea and China, viewing such actions as an attempt to glorify the country's militaristic past. Korea was under Japan's colonial rule from 1910-45, while China was invaded by Japan during World War II.