Jeong Eui-yong-Hayashi Korea-Japan Diplomacy, Sudden Meeting Emphasizes "Future-Oriented Relations"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong held the first Korea-Japan foreign ministers' meeting since his inauguration with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa.

According to diplomatic sources on the 13th, Minister Chung, who is visiting Honolulu, Hawaii, USA to attend the Korea-US-Japan foreign ministers' meeting, held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi on the afternoon of the 12th (local time) and exchanged views on major issues between the two countries.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This meeting was the first since Foreign Minister Hayashi took office.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release distributed immediately after the meeting, "Minister Chung emphasized that Korea and Japan are the closest neighboring countries that must cooperate together for peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and the world, and that a correct understanding of history is the foundation for the development of future-oriented Korea-Japan relations."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further explained, "He pointed out that this historical understanding has been shared in past representative meetings, statements, and declarations between Korea and Japan," and "In this context, Minister Chung reiterated the government’s position regarding issues such as forced labor and the Japanese military comfort women victims, and urged to accelerate consultations between diplomatic authorities to find solutions acceptable to the victims."

Minister Chung particularly expressed strong regret and reiterated protest over Japan’s decision to recommend the Sado Mine for UNESCO World Heritage registration, and urged Japan to faithfully implement the follow-up measures promised by Japan itself during the 2015 registration of modern industrial facilities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized.

Additionally, he stressed that Japan’s export control measures must be withdrawn as soon as possible, and reportedly raised the point that Japan’s actions targeting specific Korean industries are logically inconsistent with the ongoing Korea-US-Japan discussions to strengthen the global supply chain security.

Minister Chung expressed hope that exchanges between the two countries would return to pre-COVID-19 levels and requested Japan’s cooperation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the two ministers reaffirmed the necessity of dialogue with North Korea for the early restart of the Korean Peninsula peace process and the importance of Korea-Japan and Korea-US-Japan cooperation, agreeing to continue close cooperation going forward.

The two ministers agreed to maintain close communication between diplomatic authorities for the future-oriented development of bilateral relations.

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