Motegi Japanese Foreign Minister's Brazen Remarks: "South Korea Must Make Efforts for the Korea-China-Japan Summit"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] Regarding Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's statement at the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that the efforts of the chair country, Korea, are necessary to hold the Korea-China-Japan trilateral summit, criticism has been raised that his remarks are a case of blaming the victim.

This is because Korea tried to hold the summit in Seoul last year, but the meeting did not materialize due to Japan's lack of cooperation.

According to Kyodo News on the 7th, Foreign Minister Motegi said about the Korea-China-Japan summit, "It is very important for the chair country to coordinate and create an environment where the summit can be held."

Although the Japanese government has never publicly stated this, it is known that Japan's position is that it cannot attend the Korea-China-Japan summit unless Korea proposes a solution acceptable to Japan regarding issues such as the forced labor compensation lawsuits. Kyodo News also reported Motegi's remarks that day, stating, "The Japanese government holds the position that it cannot attend (the Korea-China-Japan summit) unless acceptable measures are taken regarding the former forced laborers (the Japanese term for forced laborers during Japanese colonial rule) issue."

In effect, Japan emphasized that Korea needs to make efforts despite having no intention to participate in the Korea-China-Japan summit. In this regard, Kyodo News interpreted Motegi's remarks as "a form of urging the Korean side to respond" concerning the forced labor issue and others.

Foreign Minister Motegi said about trilateral cooperation among Korea, China, and Japan, "It is important for regional peace, stability, and prosperity," and expressed that Japan "also wants to cooperate" in holding the summit.

The Korea-China-Japan trilateral summit has not been held since December 2019.

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