독일 Munich에서 한일 외교장관 회담…Kang Kyung-wha Foreign Minister "Japan's export restrictions withdrawal requires more tangible measures"

US-ROK, US-ROK-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meetings Held in Succession
US-ROK Foreign Ministers Agree to Smoothly Resolve Alliance Issues Including Defense Cost-Sharing Negotiations
US-ROK-Japan Foreign Ministers Hold In-Depth Discussions on Cooperation Measures Regarding North Korea Situation

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held a Korea-Japan foreign ministers' meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on the morning of the 15th (local time) during her attendance at the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing the need for more tangible measures regarding the prompt withdrawal of Japan's export restrictions.

The bilateral meeting between Minister Kang and Foreign Minister Motegi was held one month after their meeting in San Francisco, USA, on the 14th of last month.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "Minister Kang reiterated South Korea's position that Japan's export restrictions must be promptly lifted and emphasized the necessity for Japan to take more visible and sincere measures as soon as possible." Additionally, Minister Kang stressed South Korea's stance on the forced labor issue, while Foreign Minister Motegi expressed Japan's existing position.

Furthermore, the two ministers agreed to continue cooperation for coordination on North Korea and North Korean nuclear issues, as well as to closely cooperate in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Both sides agreed to closely cooperate to ensure smooth information sharing regarding COVID-19 response," adding, "They also agreed to continue cooperation for coordination on North Korea and North Korean nuclear issues." He further added, "They shared the view that dialogue, communication, and consultation between the two countries' foreign ministries must continue to resolve Korea-Japan issues."

Earlier, Minister Kang held a pull-aside meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo immediately after the Korea-U.S.-Japan foreign ministers' meeting. In this meeting, both sides agreed to continue efforts to strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance, a linchpin in the Asia-Pacific region, and to smoothly resolve alliance issues such as defense cost-sharing negotiations. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The Korea-U.S. foreign ministers evaluated the active high-level exchanges between the two countries following the San Francisco meeting in January and agreed to maintain close communication at all levels."

During the Korea-U.S.-Japan foreign ministers' meeting, in-depth discussions were held on cooperation measures regarding the North Korean situation. Minister Kang held the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu. This Korea-U.S.-Japan foreign ministers' meeting was held one month after the meeting in San Francisco, USA, on the 14th of last month, marking the seventh meeting since Minister Kang's inauguration. From the Korean side, Ko Yoon-joo, Director General for North America, and Lee Moon-hee, Head of the North Korean Nuclear Diplomacy Planning Division, attended. From the U.S. side, Alex Wong, Deputy Special Representative for North Korea Policy at the U.S. Department of State, and Ricky Waddell, Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, participated. From Japan, Takeo Mori, Director of the Foreign Ministry's Secretariat, and Shigeki Takizaki, Director of the Asia-Oceania Bureau, attended.

In this meeting, the three ministers discussed trilateral cooperation measures on North Korea and North Korean nuclear issues, as well as regional and international issues and situations. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The three ministers shared assessments of the current situation in North Korea and held in-depth discussions on response measures and future trilateral cooperation plans."

They also discussed cooperation measures related to COVID-19. The official stated, "The three ministers exchanged views on recent COVID-19 spread, Middle East situations, and other regional and global issues," adding, "They agreed to continue exploring areas and measures for Korea, the U.S., and Japan to cooperate both regionally and on the international stage."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.