The Korea Football Association has criticized the Japanese government for complaining about South Korea's Red Devils supporters group and neglecting the actions of Japanese football fans. 

The association issued a media release Wednesday and expressed regret over Tokyo's criticism of a banner Korean fans unfurled during Sunday's East Asian Cup match. 

Korea's "Red Devils" supporters group hung a banner during the game that read, "There's no future for people who have forgotten their past." Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga and education, culture and sports minister Hakubun Shimomura denounced Koreans for the banner.

In the statement, the Korea Football Association said Japanese fans provoked Koreans by waving the rising sun flag of Japan's Self-Defense Forces. The association said the flag is a symbol of Japanese imperialism that inflicts painful memories on the Korean people.

The association said it's highly disappointing that top Tokyo officials would criticize Seoul for this.