Yoon Policy Council: "Korea-Japan Exchange and Trade Must Be Restored"

Jung Jin-seok (left), Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and head of the Korea-Japan Policy Consultation Delegation, poses for a commemorative photo with Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the morning of the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Korea-Japan policy consultation delegation dispatched by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol met with the Japanese Foreign Minister on the 25th and confirmed a mutual recognition that the deteriorated Korea-Japan relations due to past issues such as forced labor and the Japanese military comfort women problem must be improved.

According to the Asahi Shimbun, the delegation leader, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Jeong Jin-seok, said to reporters after meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, "The two countries need to restore exchanges and trade in a future-oriented manner."

Mori Takeo, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied the meeting. Deputy Speaker Jeong said, "Resolving current issues between Korea and Japan is difficult through unilateral efforts alone," adding, "The Korean and Japanese governments must cherish the momentum of a new start and make diplomatic efforts."

Deputy Speaker Jeong conveyed that President-elect Yoon's perception of Japan is that "Korea-Japan relations should be promptly restored to the best period in the past." However, he also clarified that this visit was not for concrete negotiations on current issues but to explain President-elect Yoon's policy.

Regarding the Japanese government's demand that Korea propose solutions related to past issues, Deputy Speaker Jeong said, "We did not present any proposals to the Japanese side today," and added, "A conclusion should be reached through official diplomatic channels."

Concerning whether Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will be invited to President-elect Yoon's inauguration ceremony, he stated, "Attendance by a head of state is not an invitation but a decision made by the respective country," and added, "If he comes to the inauguration, we are prepared to welcome him with all sincerity."

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