South Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers' Call: "Thankful for Transport via Korean Aircraft" (Comprehensive)

In Urgent International Situations, Commitment to Continue Close Cooperation for the Protection of Overseas Koreans

Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko expressed gratitude on the 15th for South Korea transporting Japanese nationals by military transport aircraft from Israel, which was caught off guard by a surprise attack from the Palestinian armed group Hamas, during a phone call with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Park spoke with Minister Kamikawa for about 20 minutes starting at 11 a.m. that day, discussing cooperation in the urgent repatriation support for citizens of both countries amid the Israel-Hamas armed conflict. Minister Kamikawa expressed sincere thanks for the assistance provided by South Korea and stated that Japan would also actively cooperate should a similar situation arise in the future, emphasizing close cooperation between South Korea and Japan.

The South Korean military transport aircraft sent to Israel arrived at Seongnam Seoul Airport on the early morning of the 14th carrying a total of 220 people, including 163 South Koreans, 51 Japanese, and 6 Singaporeans. This transport was arranged to support the repatriation of South Korean nationals in Israel, and after allocating seats primarily to South Koreans, the South Korean government reportedly offered the remaining seats to the Japanese side for Japanese nationals.

During the phone call, the two ministers also confirmed their intention to maintain close communication and cooperation going forward, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that amid urgent international circumstances, both countries will continue close cooperation to protect the lives and safety of their nationals abroad anywhere in the world.

Meanwhile, Kyodo News reported that the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to dispatch former Ambassador Uemura Tsukasa, who served as Japan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as a government representative to Middle Eastern countries to help stabilize the situation early.

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