In the days leading up to his state visit to the U.S., South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol ignited a firestorm at home after his comments on Japan, made during an interview with The Washington Post, went viral in South Korea, provoking swift and predictable backlash.

Yoon’s most attention-grabbing remark, as reported by South Korean media outlets, was: “I can’t accept the notion that because of what happened 100 years ago, something is absolutely impossible [to do] and that they [Japanese] must kneel [for forgiveness] because of our history 100 years ago. And this is an issue that requires decision. … In terms of persuasion, I believe I did my best.”