Asahi "Prime Minister Kishida Should Attend Yoon's Inauguration Ceremony"

Published 27 Apr.2022 09:44(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Japan's Asahi Shimbun argued in an editorial on the 27th that Prime Minister Kishida Fumio should attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol.

The newspaper stated, "The long-frozen relationship with South Korea must be restored to a normal track," adding, "Next month's inauguration ceremony of President-elect Yoon is an opportunity. Prime Minister Kishida should attend and show an attitude of cooperation between the two leaders to renew the relationship."

The Korea-Japan policy consultation delegation dispatched by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol to Japan did not directly request Prime Minister Kishida to attend Yoon's inauguration ceremony on the 10th of next month during their meeting the day before. The delegation said that the attendance of the head of state at the inauguration ceremony is a matter for Japan to decide according to precedent, and "If Japan expresses its intention to attend, we are prepared to host with sincerity."

If Prime Minister Kishida attends President-elect Yoon's inauguration ceremony, it will be the first time for a Japanese prime minister since the inauguration ceremony of President Lee Myung-bak in 2008. The newspaper mentioned precedents such as former Prime Ministers Koizumi Junichiro and Fukuda Yasuo attending South Korean presidential inaugurations and holding Korea-Japan summit talks, urging, "I hope (the Korea-Japan leaders) do not miss the first opportunity to meet and start dialogue."

Regarding the cautious stance within the ruling party toward Prime Minister Kishida's attendance, it diagnosed that the biggest obstacle is the issue of cashing in assets of companies involved in forced labor, stating, "In a situation where there is no progress on historical issues, the prime minister's visit to South Korea carries significant political risks ahead of the summer House of Councillors election."

It then suggested, "President-elect Yoon should clearly express the view that cashing in (Japanese company assets) is undesirable and explicitly state his intention to seek a diplomatic solution in order to address such concerns."