Germany's president expressed deep remorse for the suffering of Poland and the rest of Europe during th Second World War.<br />His remarks came during a commemoration ceremony to mark the eightieth anniversary of the start of the World War II.<br />Our Choi Si-young with details.<br />On Sunday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier commemorated the first victims of World War Two in Wielun,... the city in Poland that was bombed in a surprise attack by Germany, heralding the start of World War II.<br />The German president asked for Poland's forgiveness, speaking in their language.<br />"I bow to the victims of the attack in Wielun, I pay tribute to the Polish victims of German tyranny and I ask for forgiveness."<br />The war continued for five years, and Poland lost almost one fifth of its population during that period, including three million Jewish people.<br />The Polish president said the tragic moment carries a message for the world and not just for his country.<br />"The world suffered this loss to learn a terrifying lesson, a lesson that cost tens of millions of human lives all over the world, a lesson that cost tens of millions of lives of ordinary people, civilians, people not involved in fighting, unarmed people. The biggest sacrifice in human history."<br />The Polish president described the German president's apology as a form of "moral compensation" and said facing difficult historical truths has "the power to bring forgiveness and the power of building friendships."<br />The German president asked again for forgiveness for atrocities committed by his country in Poland as he took part in the main event held in Poland's capital Warsaw.<br />U.S. President Donald Trump had originally been scheduled to take part in the event, but cancelled his visit due to Hurricane Dorian.<br />Vice President Mike Pence attended instead and spoke on his behalf.<br />He said the Polish people "never lost hope" and "never gave in to despair."<br />Choi Si-young, Arirang News.<br />
