Japanese Foreign Minister seeking meeting with key figures of Yoon administration, coordination underway

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa will visit Korea on the 9th to attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol.

This visit marks the first time in about four years that a Japanese foreign minister has visited Korea since then-Foreign Minister Kono Taro attended the Korea-US-Japan foreign ministers' meeting in June 2018.

Foreign Minister Hayashi, attending the inauguration ceremony as a special envoy of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, will stay in Korea for two days starting from that day.

A meeting between the foreign ministers of Korea and Japan may take place on the day before the inauguration. Kyodo News reported, "Hayashi is coordinating to hold talks with Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, that evening."

If the meeting takes place, there is a possibility of exchanging views on historical issues such as compensation for victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period.

On the 10th, Foreign Minister Hayashi will attend President-elect Yoon's inauguration ceremony. Kyodo News reported, "Hayashi is coordinating to have a private meeting with President-elect Yoon after the ceremony."

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Hayashi is expected to deliver a congratulatory letter from Prime Minister Kishida on his inauguration. This letter is interpreted as a reply to the letter from President-elect Yoon, which the Korea-Japan Policy Consultation Delegation dispatched by Yoon delivered to Prime Minister Kishida on the 26th of last month.

It is reported that Foreign Minister Hayashi is currently coordinating meetings with President-elect Yoon and key figures of the new administration.

NHK stated, "President-elect Yoon has shown enthusiasm for improving Korea-Japan relations, which have worsened to the worst level since the postwar period, so (Hayashi) will express expectations for the new administration while confirming cooperation on issues such as Ukraine and North Korea, using this as an opportunity to improve relations."

It added, "To improve the cooled relations due to historical issues, Japan plans to convey its position that resolving current issues such as victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period and the comfort women issue is necessary, urging the new Korean government to respond appropriately."

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