Yoon and Kishida Begin Korea-Japan Summit... Focus on 'Contaminated Water' Discussion

First Meeting in Over Two Months... Confirming Differences on 'Nuclear Wastewater' Issue
Discussion on Economic Areas Including Foreign Exchange Crisis, Advanced Technology, and Supply Chains

President Yoon Suk-yeol began a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on the 12th (local time) in Vilnius, Lithuania. This meeting comes just over two months after the restoration of 'shuttle diplomacy' through reciprocal visits in March and May, serving as an occasion to confirm differences in positions on the contentious issue of 'discharge of nuclear wastewater.'

President Yoon Suk-yeol, attending the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the Korea-Japan-Australia-New Zealand (AP4) leaders' meeting held at a hotel in Vilnius on the 12th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The focus of the summit on this day is the issue of Fukushima contaminated water discharge. Prime Minister Kishida is expected to explain the safety of the marine discharge of contaminated water to President Yoon and seek understanding from the South Korean government. This is to minimize opposition grounds by obtaining consent from South Korea, the closest neighboring country, amid concerns and opposition from Pacific island nations about damage caused by the contaminated water. Currently, the Japanese government cites the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s evaluation that the contaminated water discharge plan meets international standards as a key basis.

The summit is also expected to cover various agendas including a joint safety mechanism for foreign exchange crises, advanced technology research, cooperation on supply chain stabilization, and mutual security cooperation including the United States. With the restoration of the Korea-Japan currency swap after eight years, joint response measures to foreign exchange crises and the enhancement of security among South Korea, the United States, and Japan are also expected to be on the agenda ahead of the launch meeting of the Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) scheduled for the 18th.

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