The Republic of Korea is bracing for the worst in its ties with Japan, as the Abe administration is set to disclose the results of its controversial scrutiny into the background of the Kono Statement, one of Japan's key apologies for its wartime atrocities.

In the statement, issued in 1993 by then-chief cabinet secretary Yohei Kono, the Japanese government acknowledged for the first time that the Japanese Army was involved in forcing women from Korea and elsewhere into sexual slavery during World War II.

The statement is regarded by Seoul as one of the cornerstones of its relationship with Tokyo, as it reflects the true historical perspective that the ROK expects of Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has officially pledged to respect the statement. But at heart, he does not believe in it. He views it as something that stands in the way of realizing his vision, says a commentary of the Korea Herald.