Mizushima New Japanese Ambassador: "Korea is an Important Presence"

Submission of Credentials Copy and Courtesy Call on First Vice Foreign Minister

Newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima said on the 17th that "since last year, relations between the two countries have steadily improved under the leadership of both nations' leaders," adding, "I will do my best as the Ambassador to Korea to maintain this momentum."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the same day, Ambassador Mizushima met with reporters on his way into the country through Gimpo Airport for his posting and expressed his aspirations, saying, "This is my second time working in Korea, but I am nervous about serving as ambassador." He previously served as Minister at the Japanese Embassy in Korea from 2017 to 2019.

Ambassador Mizushima emphasized, "For Japan, Korea is an important partner cooperating in addressing various challenges in the international community."

He recalled that next year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, adding, "I will do my best to achieve greater development in (Korea-Japan relations) by taking advantage of this opportunity." He also expressed his intention to continue exchanges not only in Seoul but also by visiting various regions.

When asked by reporters about his position on the ongoing Line Yahoo incident, which has sparked growing backlash in Korea following his administrative guidance at Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ambassador Mizushima did not respond and left the scene. Initially, the Japanese Embassy had announced that Ambassador Mizushima would not hold a Q&A session with reporters upon his arrival.

In the afternoon, Ambassador Mizushima visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building to submit a copy of his letter of credence and met with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun. Typically, before officially starting their duties, ambassadors submit a copy of the letter of credence issued by their home country's head of state to the host government and present the original to the host country's head of state.

When asked by reporters about "what message Prime Minister Kishida conveyed," "whether Prime Minister Kishida mentioned the Line Yahoo incident," and "how the Korean government plans to resolve the Line Yahoo issue," he made no particular remarks and entered the building. When asked again about Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's message, he briefly replied, "Later (not today)."

On the 14th, ahead of the replacement of the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, Prime Minister Kishida met with newly appointed Ambassador Mizushima and outgoing Ambassador Aiboshi. Ambassador Mizushima is expected to begin full-scale work preparing for the Korea-China-Japan summit, which is likely to be held in Seoul on the 26th to 27th.

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