Japanese leader Shinzo Abe demanded on Tuesday that “an apology and a retraction” be made from the South Korean government leader who said Japan should apologize about what it has done during the imperialist era.

Moon Hee-sang, the speaker of the South Korean parliament, told Bloomberg on Monday that he wished the head of the Japanese government would meet with one of the women who were forced into prostitution at Japanese military bases before and during World War II, and apologize.

“It only takes one apology from either the Prime Minister or the King, someone who can represent all of Japan,” said Speaker Moon. “I mean, the current King of Japan is the son of a prime war criminal, and is soon to retire. If he would hold the hands of the women and sincerely say sorry, that would make people feel so much better.”

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, famous for suggesting the women were not forced into the job but volunteered, was infuriated.

“I was absolutely shocked to read these remarks,” said Abe. “We conveyed to South Korea that Speaker Moon’s comments were extremely disturbing and most regrettable. We strongly protested and demanded apology and retraction”

The South Korean speaker, however, expressed no intention to apologize, and neither did the South Korean government.

“I don’t understand why the Japanese government makes such a big issue of my comments,” said the speaker. “I don’t understand why Japan has been so reluctant to apologize to the women all these years, either, as that’s all they really need: a heartfelt apology.”