The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) urged Japan to make apology and reparation for its past crimes to the DPRK immediately.

In a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency, a spokesman for the DPRK foreign ministry criticized the Japanese government for only apologizing to South Korea for its colonial rule but expressing no regret to the DPRK.

The past one centenary was the history in which Japan had committed crimes but refused to redeem them, and it was the history in which the Korean people suffered damage done by Japan, said the statement.

He said Japan can never shirk its obligation to make apology and reparation to the DPRK for its past. “It should make immediate apology and reparation for the hideous crimes committed against the Korean people,” he said.

The spokesman warned that Japan should immediately stop tampering with history and reviving militarism in an attempt to grab Tok Islets.

The statement was released on the occasion of the centenary of Japan’s “brigandish fabrication” of the “Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty” by force of arms and its illegal annexation of Korea, according to the KCNA.

Japan forced Korea to sign the “Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty” on Aug. 22, 1910, which became effective seven days later, putting Korea under its colonial rule.

It was not until 1945 when Japan surrendered to the Allies at the end of World War II that Korea attained final liberation.