After Dinner, Korean Soju and Japanese Beer Shared by South Korea-Japan Leaders... "Taste of Friendship"

Dinner with Couple at Yoshizawa
Yoon Proposes Harmony Drink at Rengatei, Birthplace of Tonkatsu
Kishida Expresses "Taste of Korea-Japan Friendship"

Presidential Office: "Dokdo Issue Not Mentioned at All"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is reported to have shared a 'Harmony Drink' during a social time after concluding the Korea-Japan summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the 16th.

Prior to this, the two leaders had dinner together with their spouses at 'Yoshizawa,' a sukiyaki restaurant located in the bustling Ginza district of Tokyo.

Afterwards, the two leaders moved about 200 meters from Yoshizawa to 'Rengatei,' where they continued their conversation. Rengatei, with a history of 128 years, is known as the birthplace of Japanese-style tonkatsu and omurice.

During this gathering, President Yoon, while raising a beer glass, suggested drinking Korean soju together as a symbol of harmony. Prime Minister Kishida, who enjoyed the beer and soju pairing, reportedly responded with the phrase "the taste of Korea-Japan friendship." It is also known that a Japanese specialty sweet potato soju was served.

When President Yoon expressed his desire to advance Korea-Japan relations unprecedentedly during his term in an open and sincere atmosphere, Prime Minister Kishida also showed strong agreement. Kishida, who promised a reciprocal visit, is said to hope to hold a social event with President Yoon in Korea.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Presidential Office dismissed reports from some Japanese media that the Dokdo issue was mentioned. A Presidential Office official told reporters, "There was absolutely no discussion regarding Dokdo," adding, "It did not come up in either the small-group or expanded talks."

Regarding reports that Prime Minister Kishida requested the implementation of the Korea-Japan comfort women agreement from President Yoon, the official said, "It is not appropriate to disclose all discussed content; it is better to focus on official announcements."

The official further stated, "In the early days of the Moon Jae-in administration, actions close to a de facto cancellation of the agreement were taken, but towards the end of the term, it was said that it was not a cancellation," adding, "It would be very helpful to clarify what position the Democratic Party of Korea holds to better understand the situation."

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