The South Korean government expressed regret over a visit by two Japanese Cabinet members to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo earlier Thursday.

South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho Tae-young said during a regular press conference on Thursday that the show of politicians paying their respects at the Yasukuni Shrine is an irresponsible act that ignores the sentiment of neighboring countries that suffered from Japan’s colonization. The Yasukuni Shrine has been a source of controversy as it is devoted to the men and women whose lives were dedicated to the service of Imperial Japan.

Spokesman Cho said that South Korea once again calls on Japanese politicians to face its past history with a humble attitude.