North Korean official condemns Japan and demands apologies over 'sinful history'

SEOUL –

A North Korean official urged Japan on Friday to take responsibility for its "sinful history," including the forced mobilization of millions of Koreans during its 1910-1945 colonial rule, and to officially apologize and sufficiently compensate the victims and their families.

Ri Jong Hyok, vice chairman of the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, made the remarks in a speech at a conference on the subject held in Goyang, north of Seoul, with some 300 participants from 10 Asia-Pacific countries.