Rodong Sinmun Thursday observes in a bylined commentary in this regard:

This clearly indicates that the crimes committed by the Japanese imperialists in the past are put on trial by the people,

A state should be held responsible for any state-sponsored crime. This is required by international law and international practice.

The issue of Japan's settlement of its past crimes is by no means a business-like matter.

This is a political and moral issue and a matter related to international law to settle the crimes committed against humanity. To do so is a touchstone showing whether Japan has the will to draw a lesson from the crime-woven past and turn over a new leaf or not.

For Japan to redress its past is the unanimous demand of the world people desirous of reconciliation, cooperation and peace.

However, the Japanese reactionaries are running the whole gamut of sleight of hand to tamper with history in a bid to cover up and justify the crimes committed by the Japanese imperialists in the past.

The foolish behavior of Japan evading the settlement of its past quite contrary to the trend of the times only brings to light its moral vulgarity of disregarding even elementary ethics.

No statute of limitation is applicable to the crimes against humanity. Japan can never shirk responsibility for its past crimes.