Blinken: "Resolving Historical Issues Benefits Korea and Japan... North Korea Policy Review to End Soon"

Revealed Experience of Involvement in 2015 Comfort Women Agreement
Hints at Participation in Tokyo Olympics
"Concerns Heard Regarding Beijing Olympics Participation, Announcement at Appropriate Time"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken suggested that it is in the interest of both South Korea and Japan to resolve historical issues, indicating that the United States will play a mediating role. He also announced that the review of North Korea policy will be completed within weeks. Regarding participation in the Beijing Winter Olympics, he mentioned that the decision will be announced after consulting the international community's opinions.

According to an interview with Japan's Nihon TV released by the State Department on the 17th (local time), Secretary Blinken said, "The United States has long urged South Korea and Japan to resolve difficult historical issues with the goal of reconciliation and understanding. We hope this will continue."

Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of relations not only between the U.S. and its allies but also among the allies themselves, saying, "I worked in past administrations making great efforts toward trilateral cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the U.S., achieving tremendous progress." This is understood to refer to the comfort women agreement between South Korea and Japan concluded in 2015 when he served as Deputy Secretary of State. This passage implies that Blinken himself mediated the comfort women agreement.

Secretary Blinken stressed, "Our three countries share many fundamental values. Resolving the difficult historical issues facing South Korea and Japan greatly aligns with the interests of both countries."

He also stated, "The ongoing review of North Korea policy requires insights and opinions from partners such as South Korea and Japan, who face direct risks. The review will likely be completed within weeks. We look forward to working very closely with South Korea and Japan on North Korea issues."

"Participation in the Tokyo Summer Olympics is a given... Decision on Beijing Winter Olympics will be made after hearing concerns"

Regarding participation in the Tokyo Summer Olympics, Secretary Blinken said he would actively support the Japanese government's decision and that it is a matter for their National Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide. This suggests that if the Japanese government decides to host and the Olympic Committee decides to participate, the U.S. has no intention to oppose it.

On the other hand, he expressed a negative view on participation in the Beijing Winter Olympics. Citing human rights abuses in China's Uyghur region and issues concerning Hong Kong and Taiwan, he said, "The United States is listening to the concerns of countries worldwide regarding various issues and will announce its course of action at an appropriate time. For now, we are hearing the concerns raised by many countries."

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