A Zainichi Korean Saying "Japan-Korea Relations Are a Matter of Life and Death"... Yoon: "Will Contribute to a Future-Oriented Relationship" (Comprehensive)

First Schedule in Japan: Meeting with Korean Residents in Japan... "A Starting Point for the Future of Korea-Japan Relations"
Highlighting Contributions to Japanese Society, "We Will Take More Pride as We Move Toward the Future"

President Yoon Suk-yeol met with Korean residents in Japan on the 16th and emphasized his commitment to restoring Korea-Japan relations, saying, "Your unwavering affection and support for the homeland will be a great force in creating a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship." The residents also urged President Yoon, saying, "Korea-Japan relations are a matter of life and death for us Korean residents in Japan," and requested efforts to improve and enhance the relationship. President Yoon's visit to the Korean residents in Japan ahead of his summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is interpreted as a gesture to empower the residents who have felt the strain in bilateral relations.

That afternoon, President Yoon held a luncheon meeting with Korean residents in Tokyo at a hotel and stated, "Currently, Korea and Japan stand at the starting point to move toward a better future." In his opening remarks, he said, "I am visiting Tokyo today for a Korea-Japan bilateral 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."

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who visited Japan for a two-day trip, is giving a greeting at a luncheon meeting with Korean residents in Japan held at a hotel in Tokyo on the 16th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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 mentioned, "The current global complex crises, the North Korean nuclear and missile threats, and other severe security situations demand stronger solidarity and cooperation among countries that share universal values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law."

Representing the Korean residents in Japan, Yeo Geon-yi, head of the Mindan Central Headquarters, said, "We are deeply moved that the President has made the difficult decision to strive for a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship, making it feel like spring has finally come for Korean residents in Japan." He particularly emphasized, "Korea-Japan relations are a matter of life and death for us Korean residents in Japan." He added, "Please work hard to improve and enhance the relationship," and said, "This visit by the President and the First Lady will be an opportunity to advance beyond the 1998 Korea-Japan Partnership Joint Declaration."

In line with this, President Yoon also reaffirmed his intention to build a future-oriented bilateral relationship at the Korea-Japan summit. President Yoon said, "Solidarity and cooperation with neighboring 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." He added, "Today, I will sit face-to-face with Prime Minister Kishida to reaffirm this intention and discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation for the future of both countries."

As the first step toward normalizing Korea-Japan relations has been taken, President Yoon requested the participation of Korean residents in Japan, saying he would actively support their ability to thrive in Japanese society. He said, "When the uncomfortable Korea-Japan relationship is normalized and the relations between the two countries move toward the future, I believe that overseas Koreans will also be able to take greater pride here." He emphasized, "For this reason alone, Korea-Japan relations must be further developed." 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 force in creating a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship."

He especially 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." He urged, "I believe you will play an even greater role in a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship that matches this changed status."

Furthermore, he stressed that the Overseas Koreans Office, launching 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 said, "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 solidarity with the homeland."

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