Yoon to Zainichi Koreans: "Starting Point for Korea-Japan Relations' Future... Will Discuss Strengthening Cooperation"

Attended Korean-Japanese Summit Pre-Meeting with Diaspora
Support Willingness from Diaspora Feeling Tense Relations
Yoon Urges "Major Role Matching Changed Status"

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who visited Japan for a 1-night, 2-day trip including the Korea-Japan summit, emphasized his commitment to restoring Korea-Japan relations on the 16th by saying to the Korean residents in Japan, "Your unwavering affection and support for the homeland will be a great strength in creating a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship." President Yoon's visit to the Korean residents in Japan ahead of the summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is interpreted as a gesture to empower the residents who have felt the strain in bilateral relations.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who visited Japan, are entering the luncheon meeting with Korean residents in Japan held at a hotel in Tokyo on the 16th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the same day, President Yoon held a luncheon meeting with Korean residents in Japan at a hotel in downtown Tokyo and stated, "Currently, Korea and Japan stand at the starting point to move toward a better future."

In his opening remarks, President Yoon said, "I am visiting Tokyo today for a bilateral Korea-Japan summit for the first time in 12 years since 2011," and defined Korea and Japan as "close neighbors and countries that share universal democratic values with us. They are partners cooperating in security, economy, and global agendas."

He continued, "However, over the past several years, exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have stagnated in almost all fields, including politics, economy, and human exchanges," and added, "The current complex global crises, the North Korean nuclear and missile threats, and other serious security situations demand stronger solidarity and cooperation among countries that share universal values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law."

He also reaffirmed the intention to build a future-oriented bilateral relationship at the Korea-Japan summit. President Yoon said, "Solidarity and cooperation with our neighbor Japan are becoming more important than ever. That is why we announced a solution to the forced labor issue and proposed that Korea and Japan cooperate together toward the future," and added, "Today, I will sit down face-to-face with Prime Minister Kishida to reaffirm this intention and exchange views on ways to further strengthen cooperation for the future of both countries."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the first step toward normalizing Korea-Japan relations has been taken, he pledged to actively support the Korean residents in Japan so they can thrive in Japanese society and called for their participation. President Yoon said, "When the uncomfortable Korea-Japan relations normalize and the relationship between the two countries moves toward the future, I believe that overseas Koreans will also be able to take greater pride here," emphasizing, "For this reason alone, we must further develop Korea-Japan relations."

He added, "Currently, Korea and Japan stand at the starting point to move toward a better future," and said, "Your unwavering affection and support for the homeland will be a great strength in creating a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship."

In particular, he noted, "The Korean community in Japan began with the painful wounds of our nation's modern history, but now it has grown into the strongest pillar of Korea-Japan relations. Thanks to the Korean residents who have not lost their pride and dignity and are active in their respective fields, Korea's status in Japan has greatly improved," and urged, "I believe you will play an even greater role in building a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship that matches this changed status."

Furthermore, he stressed that the Overseas Koreans Office, which will be launched in June, will systematically support overseas Koreans. President Yoon promised, "Since this was a promise I made to you during the last presidential election, I will carefully ensure its proper launch," and added, "Through this, we will build a stronger protection and support system for overseas Koreans that matches our national status and dignity. We will improve the rights and interests of overseas Koreans and strengthen the solidarity with the homeland."

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