Korea-Japan Deputy Foreign Ministers: "Improving Relations Is Essential... Must Maintain Close Communication to Resolve Issues"

Cho Hyun-dong, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, is speaking at the joint press conference of the Korea-US-Japan deputy foreign ministers held on the 8th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The deputy foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan have agreed to strengthen security cooperation in response to North Korea's escalating nuclear and missile threats.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cho Hyundong, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks on the afternoon of the 8th with Takeo Mori, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, who visited Korea to attend the South Korea-U.S.-Japan Deputy Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Both sides shared the recognition that the prompt improvement of South Korea-Japan relations is indispensable. In particular, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that there was consensus on the need to strengthen close cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. in responding to various regional and global issues, including the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula.

During the South Korea-U.S.-Japan Deputy Foreign Ministers' Meeting held earlier that morning, the three countries also agreed on the necessity of trilateral security cooperation and joint responses to global issues based on shared values.

Deputy Minister Cho stated that efforts should be made together to ensure that the improvement of South Korea-Japan relations proceeds in a direction that aligns with their mutual interests. He also emphasized the importance of revitalizing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and requested the Japanese side to continue consultations to promptly establish the institutional foundation for such exchanges, including the resumption of the Gimpo-Haneda flight route.

Vice Minister Mori strongly protested once again against the recent maritime survey conducted by a South Korean research vessel near Dokdo. In response, Deputy Minister Cho reiterated that the activity was legitimate, conducted in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and domestic laws.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vice Minister Mori requested continued understanding and cooperation from Deputy Minister Cho regarding the issue of North Korea's abduction of Japanese nationals and received support. Additionally, it was reported that both countries are communicating about the first visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Park Jin since his inauguration.

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