Related: China, S. Korea protest Koizumi's shrine visit

    SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The South Korean Presidential Office on Monday expressed deep regret over Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to a shrine that honors war criminals.

    "Koizumi's latest visit to the Yasukuni Shrine which honors war criminals damaged peace and cooperation in the region," said a news release from the South Korean Presidential Office.

    The release said the shrine visit will lead to isolation of Japan in the international community.

    "Japanese government should profoundly reflect on the negative impact the action gave to the South Korea-Japan relations and the peace situation in the Northeast region and take responsibly for the aftermath," it said.

    South Korean local media also estimated Koizumi's shrine visit may hamper Seoul-Tokyo summit which is under arrangement. Previously, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun was reportedly to meet with Koizumi this December in Japan.

    Earlier Monday, South Korean Foreign Ministry had issued a strong-worded statement, condemning Koizumi's shrine visit.

    South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon also summoned Japanese Ambassador to Seoul Shotaro Oshima, lodging a protest over the visit.

    Earlier Monday, Koizumi made a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, where 2 million Japanese war dead, including 14 Class-A war criminals from World War II, are honored. The visit was the fifth since he took office in 2001. Enditem