Korean protesters denounce Japanese leaders’ denial of wartime atrocities

Japanese wartime flags are reflected in a protester’s sunglasses during a rally against Japan in front of the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. The protesters denounced Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s previous pledges to revise Japan’s past apologies for wartime atrocities and Hashimoto for commenting that the Japanese military’s forced prostitution of Asian women before and during World War II was necessary to “maintain discipline” in the ranks and provide rest for soldiers who risked their lives in battle. The letters read ” Oppose visit to Yasukuni Shrine.”

A South Korean protester, right, uses a knife to tear a portrait of Japanese Mayor of Osaka Toru Hashimoto during a rally against Japan in front of the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. <AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon>