Korea-Japan Summit Ultimately Canceled... Blue House: "Moon Decides Not to Visit Japan" (Comprehensive)

Published 19 Jul.2021 17:24(KST)

Updated 19 Jul.2021 17:40(KST)

"Both sides had an approach to mutual understanding through consultation, but the decision was made considering all circumstances comprehensively"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in's visit to Japan, planned around the Tokyo Olympics, has been canceled. The anticipated Korea-Japan summit meeting expected to take place during the visit is also unlikely to be held.

Park Soo-hyun, Senior Secretary for Public Communication at the Blue House, stated on the 19th, "President Moon has decided not to visit Japan in connection with the Tokyo Olympics."

Park explained the discussions so far, saying, "The governments of both Korea and Japan, keeping in mind the possibility of holding a Korea-Japan summit during the Tokyo Olympics, engaged in meaningful consultations regarding progress on historical issues between the two countries and future-oriented cooperation."

He continued, "Although the consultations between the two sides were conducted in a friendly atmosphere and there was considerable convergence of understanding, it was still insufficient to be considered a successful summit," adding, "Considering all other circumstances comprehensively, this decision was made."

Not only was the 'productive summit'?which the Blue House had initially set as a condition for the visit?unachieved, but the controversy over the 'inappropriate remarks' made by Soma, the Charg? d'Affaires at the Japanese Embassy, emerged at the last minute.

Park said on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" that the Korean side had set the condition that the Japanese government must announce official disciplinary measures against the individual involved, but the Japanese government only expressed regret through Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu, who serves as the government spokesperson.

Accordingly, it is highly likely that the Korean side concluded there was no practical benefit in proceeding with the visit or the Korea-Japan summit, leading to the final decision not to visit Japan.

The Blue House stated, "Since the Tokyo Olympics is a festival of peace for people around the world, we hope Japan will host the Olympics safely and successfully," and added, "Although our athletes face various difficult conditions, we expect them to fully demonstrate their accumulated skills, perform well, and return home in good health."