Korea-Japan Summit on the 16th... "Resolution of GSOMIA and Export Restrictions" (Comprehensive)

Determined to Advance Relations at Korea-Japan Summit and Dinner
Seeking Comprehensive Solutions on Economy and Security

Yoon Also Meets Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union and Cooperation Committee
Meets Former PMs Aso and Suga
Business Roundtable with Business Leaders from Both Countries

Attends Future Generation Lecture for Korean and Japanese Students at Keio University

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated that his visit to Japan on the 16th and 17th of this month to hold a Korea-Japan summit with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will serve as "an important opportunity to break the vicious cycle and fundamentally reorganize the conditions for exchanges." Beyond resolving the forced labor issue, the two leaders intend to seek comprehensive solutions in areas such as economy, security, and exchanges to normalize bilateral relations in a progressive direction.

Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office, said at a briefing held at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, "Bilateral diplomatic visits are happening for the first time in 12 years, since then-Japanese Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko's visit to Korea in October 2011 and then-President Lee Myung-bak's visit to Japan in December of the same year. During the long period of stagnation, the vicious cycle of the two leaders not meeting easily continued, causing a deadlock in relations."

Prior to this, Director Kim introduced President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee's visit to Japan as "an important milestone in improving Korea-Japan relations, which has been a focus since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration."

President Yoon will arrive in Tokyo, Japan, on the morning of the 16th and hold a luncheon meeting with local Korean residents. In the afternoon, he will attend official events including the Korea-Japan summit and dinner with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Regarding the agenda of the Korea-Japan summit, Director Kim mentioned, "The two leaders plan to discuss various issues, including the implementation of the forced labor issue resolution and the normalization of overall Korea-Japan relations. There will also be opportunities to discuss ways to remove policy barriers that hinder cooperation and deepen economic collaboration between the two countries."

He added, "Through this summit and dinner, the two leaders will strengthen mutual personal trust and reaffirm their commitment to developing bilateral relations. Personal trust between leaders is an important asset in diplomacy. Building trust between the two leaders is expected to positively influence friendship and exchanges between the peoples of both countries."

President Yoon Suk-yeol will visit Japan from the 16th to the 17th of this month to hold a Korea-Japan summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

It is anticipated that the Korea-Japan summit will also address economic policy barriers such as Japan's export restrictions on Korea and exclusion from the whitelist, and discuss ways to deepen economic cooperation. In particular, current issues such as the normalization of the Korea-US-Japan military information protection agreement (GSOMIA·Jisomia) are expected to be discussed.

On the following day, the 17th, President Yoon will meet with key political figures from the Korea-Japan Parliamentary League, a legislative exchange group, and the Korea-Japan Cooperation Committee, which handles private sector exchanges.

Director Kim introduced, "Since prominent Japanese political figures including former Prime Ministers Aso Taro and Suga Yoshihide will attend, this will be a good opportunity for President Yoon to actively request their roles in building a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship."

He also mentioned that a Korea-Japan Business Roundtable will be held during a luncheon attended by businesspeople from both countries to support exchanges among entrepreneurs.

Afterwards, President Yoon is scheduled to attend a future generation lecture at Keio University, a prestigious private university in Japan, with Japanese university students and Korean international students, before returning home late on the 17th.

Regarding these two events, Director Kim said, "The Korea-Japan Business Roundtable is expected to serve as an opportunity for the economic sectors of both countries to prepare a new future together through cooperation and exchanges. Meanwhile, the lecture at Keio University for Korean international students and Japanese students will encourage the future leaders of Korea-Japan relations and broaden consensus for expanding exchanges between the two countries."

Director Kim also explained that First Lady Kim is coordinating various schedules with the Japanese side, including a meeting with Mrs. Kishida Yoko.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked by reporters whether the current level of Korea-US-Japan extended deterrence policy is sufficient in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, and whether GSOMIA will be restored and further Korea-Japan military cooperation such as joint exercises will occur in light of the Korea-Japan summit, a senior official from the Presidential Office explained, "We have responded within the framework of Korea-US-Japan security cooperation so far and plan to continue doing so. Especially with the improvement of Korea-Japan relations, Korea-US-Japan security cooperation is expected to be strengthened, and the depth and breadth of this cooperation will likely increase."

He continued, "GSOMIA has been functioning well between Korea and Japan so far, but there have been some awkward aspects in the formal process due to suspension and postponement during the previous administration. Once Korea-Japan relations improve, the GSOMIA issue will naturally be resolved in a formal sense. We also expect various discussions on security matters between Korea and Japan to be actively conducted within the context of Korea-US-Japan security cooperation."

When asked if Prime Minister Kishida's visit to Korea will follow President Yoon's visit to Japan, the official replied, "When Prime Minister Kishida will visit Korea depends on the outcome of this Korea-Japan summit. However, considering the personal trust formed between the two leaders, shuttle diplomacy will likely proceed actively not only at the summit level but also at high-level and ministerial levels in various forms."

Regarding reports that Japan still maintains a principled stance on export restrictions, the official said, "The export restriction issue, the return to the whitelist, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint are all interconnected issues. If progress is made in one area of consultation, although there may be some time lag, these three issues can be naturally resolved."

Regarding reports that Prime Minister Kishida is preparing two dinners for President Yoon, the official said, "I cannot confirm the report about two dinners. However, I understand that Japan is making various preparations to host President Yoon with the utmost courtesy as the host."

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