Asahi Japan "Foreign Minister Park Jin Finalizing Arrangements for Visit to Japan from 18th to 21st"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Foreign Minister Park Jin is reportedly in the final stages of arranging his first visit to Japan since taking office, scheduled for June 18-21, according to multiple South Korea-Japan diplomatic sources cited by Japan's Asahi Shimbun on the 8th.

According to the report, Minister Park is expected to hold talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and discuss major issues in South Korea-Japan relations, including compensation for victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period. Asahi stated, "Minister Park is likely to explain South Korea's efforts to resolve the compensation issue for forced labor victims and exchange views with Foreign Minister Hayashi."

If this meeting takes place, attention will also focus on whether discussions for a South Korea-Japan summit will be held. Minister Park had initially considered visiting Japan last month, but the plan was postponed due to rising opposition within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party against holding a foreign ministers' meeting ahead of the Japanese House of Councillors election, and the Kishida Fumio administration also took a cautious stance.

Japan's protest against the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency's regular maritime survey around Dokdo conducted in May and June is also considered one of the reasons why Minister Park's visit to Japan did not materialize last month.

Asahi reported that although a public-private consultative body has been launched in South Korea to resolve the forced labor compensation issue, it remains uncertain whether Japan will accept a solution.

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