[Japan-Korea Summit] Kishida "Positive on Third-Party Compensation... Continuing Historical Awareness" (Update)

Joint Press Conference After President Yoon's Korea-Japan Summit
Expecting Political, Economic, and Cultural Exchanges, "Resuming Shuttle Diplomacy"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on the 16th, "The Japanese government has confirmed that it comprehensively inherits the positions of past cabinets related to historical awareness, including the Japan-Korea Joint Declaration announced in October 1998." He particularly gave a positive evaluation of the South Korean government's announcement to have a third party compensate the victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period.

Prime Minister Kishida said in his opening remarks at the joint press conference following the Japan-Korea summit held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo that afternoon, "Recently, the South Korean government announced measures related to the issue of former Korean Peninsula laborers," and added, "From the Japanese government's perspective, these measures are evaluated as an effort to restore the Japan-Korea relationship, which had been in a very severe state, to a sound relationship."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also expressed expectations that this opportunity would lead to expanded exchanges between the two countries in political, economic, and cultural fields. Kishida said, "To open a new chapter in bilateral relations, the two leaders agreed to resume shuttle diplomacy with frequent visits without being bound by formalities," and "They agreed to activate intergovernmental communication across a wide range of areas in bilateral relations." He further explained, "They reached consensus on the importance of early resumption of the long-suspended Japan-Korea security dialogue, vice-ministerial strategic talks, and the early reactivation of the high-level Japan-China-Korea process."

Prime Minister Kishida mentioned North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on the day and confirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, as well as bilateral cooperation between South Korea and Japan in responding to North Korea. He also referred to plans to promptly resume the long-suspended Japan-Korea security dialogue and to launch a new economic security consultation body.

Prime Minister Kishida added, "We shared recognition of the severe security environment," and "We confirmed the importance of strengthening deterrence against North Korea, which is advancing nuclear missile development, through the Japan-U.S. and South Korea-U.S. alliances, and vigorously promoting security cooperation among the three countries of South Korea, the United States, and Japan."

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