Minister Jeong Eui-yong Focuses on Improving Korea-Japan Relations

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Attention is focused on whether Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong can resolve the biggest challenge of improving Korea-Japan relations since his inauguration. This is because improving relations with Japan, along with the Korea-US alliance, North Korean denuclearization, and diplomacy with China, is not easy.

According to diplomatic circles on the 21st, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to make efforts to resolve contentious issues such as the comfort women and forced labor problems with Japan as part of this year's diplomatic strategy toward Japan. It also intends to promote relationship improvement during major occasions such as the Tokyo Olympics and the Korea-China-Japan summit and foreign ministers' meetings this year.

Minister Chung is showing confidence regarding diplomacy with Japan. On the 18th, during a briefing to the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, when Park Jin, a member of the People Power Party, asked, "You have spoken with the foreign ministers of the US, China, and the United Arab Emirates since your inauguration, but why have you not yet spoken with Japan?" he replied, "I expect to have a call with Japan soon."

Minister Chung said, "It is planned," and added, "I intend to have a call with Minister Motegi as soon as possible."

Since his inauguration on the 9th, Minister Chung had his first call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the 12th, followed by calls with the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates on the 15th, China on the 16th, and Canada on the 17th. However, he has not yet spoken with Foreign Minister Motegi.

Regarding Park's criticism that "the Moon Jae-in administration failed to establish a clear stance on Japan and wavered," Minister Chung responded, "I do not agree with the assessment that the Moon administration's policy toward Japan was inconsistent."

He explained, "Since President Moon's inauguration, our position toward Japan has consistently maintained a two-track approach: resolving historical issues through dialogue and continuing consultations on future-oriented cooperation areas."

When asked about Park's question that there are voices in Japanese politics saying, "Let's neither help, teach, nor interfere with Korea," Minister Chung replied, "I have not heard this directly, but if such opinions exist, it is a very regrettable situation."

Regarding concerns in Washington that if Korea-Japan relations do not improve, Korea-US relations cannot be normalized, Minister Chung said, "I do not see it that way," adding, "While pursuing the Korea-US-Japan trilateral cooperation, I believe that if necessary, the US can assist in resolving issues between Korea and Japan."

Together with Minister Chung, Kang Chang-il, the Korean Ambassador to Japan, has also begun activating the diplomatic front toward Japan. On the 18th, Ambassador Kang held meetings with influential figures in Japanese politics, including Toshihiro Nikai, Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, marking the start of full-scale diplomacy toward Japan.

The embassy reported that Ambassador Kang said, "Although Korea-Japan relations are difficult, as the ambassador to Japan, I will do my best to normalize Korea-Japan relations and promote friendship between the two countries and their peoples," and requested support from the Japanese political circles.

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