Japan "Expecting Yoon's Next Presidential Leadership... Keeping Promises is Fundamental to National Relations"

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is shaking hands with Koichi Aiboshi, the Ambassador of Japan to Korea, at the 20th Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th. Photo by the Transition Committee Press Corps

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government expressed expectations that President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol will demonstrate leadership regarding Korea-Japan relations, while reiterating that South Korea must uphold its promises concerning historical issues.

According to the Asahi Shimbun and others on the 18th, Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, said at a press conference held at the Prime Minister’s Office that regarding Yoon’s plan to dispatch a Korea-Japan policy consultation team to Japan, "We expect the leadership of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol," and added, "We intend to accept the opportunity for the policy consultation team to visit Japan and properly communicate with the new administration."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno stated, "As the international community faces changes that divide eras, a sound Korea-Japan relationship is indispensable in realizing an international order based on rules and securing peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world," adding, "It is necessary to develop Korea-Japan relations based on the foundation of friendly cooperative relations built since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965."

However, regarding the strained Korea-Japan relations due to lawsuits filed by victims of Japanese military sexual slavery and forced labor, he reaffirmed Japan’s existing stance that South Korea must find a solution. Matsuno said, "Keeping promises between countries is fundamental to inter-state relations. To restore Korea-Japan relations to a sound state, we will welcome the policy consultation team based on Japan’s consistent position."

The policy consultation team, led by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Jeong Jin-seok, co-chair of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary Diplomacy Forum, plans to visit Japan from the 24th to the 28th to meet with officials from the Japanese government, National Diet, business circles, academia, and media.

Meanwhile, regarding the joint command post exercises by South Korea and the United States starting in the first half of the year and North Korea’s backlash, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said, "I understand that the announcement was made with the intention of improving operational capabilities and strengthening defense posture," adding, "Japan, the U.S., and South Korea will closely cooperate with the goal of North Korea’s denuclearization."

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