Civilian delegations from the two Koreas to joint festivities celebrating the 60th Liberation Day have issued a special statement condemning Japan’s distortions of history.

The delegations released the statement Monday shortly after visiting the Seodaemun Prison History Hall in western Seoul.

In the statement, delegates urged Japan to immediately stop whitewashing its wartime offenses and cooperate in joint efforts to unveil the truth of historical facts.

The statement also called on Japanese politicians and government officials to stop glorifying Tokyo's wartime offenses, offer apologies for past atrocities and provide compensation to victims and countries that suffered under Japan's military aggressions.

Delegates also called for Tokyo’s immediate suspension of efforts to revise Article 9 of its Constitution, which currently bans Japan from maintaining land, sea and air forces and has been considered a mechanism that prevents conflict in the region.