South Korea and Japan's Diplomats Commit to Ongoing Dialogue as Relations Improve
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Synopsis
On March 22, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met in Tokyo, agreeing to continue bilateral exchanges to foster improved relations. This follow-up meeting comes amid ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation between the two nations and reaffirm their commitment to regional stability.
Key Takeaways
- Ongoing diplomatic exchanges between South Korea and Japan.
- Commitment to denuclearization of North Korea.
- Recognition of the importance of trilateral cooperation with the U.S.
- Significant improvements in bilateral relations since March 2023.
- Preparation for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Tokyo, March 22 (NationPress) South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul held a one-on-one meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Saturday, agreeing to maintain exchanges to ensure the positive momentum in their bilateral relations continues.
The two diplomats reached this consensus during discussions in Tokyo, following a trilateral meeting that also included Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Cho's discussions with Iwaya took place approximately a month after their last meeting in Germany and two months following Iwaya's visit to Seoul.
According to a release from Seoul's foreign ministry, the ministers concurred on the necessity of sustaining this flow of exchanges and advancing bilateral relations without interruption.
They underscored the significance of open communication between their diplomatic offices to guarantee the stable management of bilateral matters.
Relations between Seoul and Tokyo have notably improved since President Yoon Suk Yeol announced in March 2023 that South Korea would independently compensate forced labor victims, without financial contributions from Japan.
However, tensions resurfaced late last year when South Korea chose to boycott a memorial event for Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor at the UNESCO-listed Sado mines, citing Tokyo's insufficient efforts to honor the victims appropriately.
The foreign ministry did not indicate any discussions regarding the Sado mines in their media release.
The two ministers reaffirmed their dedication to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, as stated by the ministry.
In light of the serious international environment, they recognized the importance of collaboration across various fields to address uncertainties and seek opportunities for cooperation.
Based on this mutual understanding, they agreed to enhance trilateral cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the United States on a global scale.
At the onset of the discussions, Cho expressed a desire to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Japan, highlighting the necessity of continuous active diplomatic engagement.
Iwaya reiterated the significance of Japan's bilateral relations with South Korea and their trilateral partnership with their common ally, the U.S., in light of the evolving regional and international contexts.
The two ministers likely also discussed preparations for the upcoming 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between their countries, scheduled for June this year.
They may have addressed coordination strategies regarding Trump's policies in trade, security, and other sectors.
The last discussions between Cho and Iwaya took place in Munich last month during the Munich Security Conference.
