A South Korean delegation attending the ongoing Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference in Havana conveyed deep regret to its Japanese counterpart over their government's approval of a nationalistic history textbook for its middle school students.

During a luncheon meeting with Japanese delegates, Korean Reps. Chung Jey-moon and Yoo Jay-kun said that things to cover up or distort historic facts should not take place for the development of future-oriented relations between the two nations.

The lawmakers said...although it explains the textbook in question belongs to the freedom of its authors' thoughts and speech, the Japanese government cannot avoid criticism because it gave a final approval for the book.

Earlier, delegates from North and South Korea agreed to map out strong joint countermeasures against Japan's historic distortions and seek a joint press conference with the Chinese delegation to blast Japan.

The South Korean delegation, led by House Speaker Lee Man-sup, also submitted a resolution to an IPU committee in charge of international laws. The resolution said... quote... we confirm that keeping thorough records of Japan's past human rights abuses and never forgetting them are the most effective ways to ensure that they never happen again... end quote.