SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a significant meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on September 6, focusing on enhancing regional security and bilateral relations. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan in response to North Korean provocations and the close interaction between North Korea and Russia, among other regional security threats.
The meeting marked the 12th summit between the South Korean and Japanese leaders since the initiation of inter-Korean shuttle diplomacy last March and the third meeting this year. During the 100-minute talks, both leaders reviewed the achievements of their cooperation and exchanged opinions on deepening bilateral practical cooperation, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, and regional and international cooperation plans, including those in the Indo-Pacific region.
The two leaders emphasized the need to firmly respond to North Korea’s provocations and maintain a strong response posture to prevent North Korea from continuing to provoke with the support of Russia. To this end, they agreed to carry forward the spirit of the Camp David Agreement.
President Yoon highlighted the importance of maintaining the direction of cooperation accumulated between him and Prime Minister Kishida for the development of South Korea-Japan and South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation. Prime Minister Kishida reaffirmed Japan’s support for South Korea’s August 15 Unification New Strategy.
Regarding historical issues, Prime Minister Kishida reiterated Japan’s historical view inherited from past cabinets, including the Joint Declaration of the New Partnership between South Korea and Japan in the 21st Century (also known as the Kim Dae-jung-Keizairo Nenzo Joint Declaration) issued in 1998. Regarding the issue of forced labor, he expressed his empathy for the suffering of many people in harsh conditions at that time.
Prime Minister Kishida also emphasized that the importance of South Korea-Japan relations will not change after the new Japanese government takes office. President Yoon expressed his willingness to work with Japan to strive for a brighter future for South Korea-Japan relations.
The meeting also yielded substantial results in strengthening bilateral cooperation. The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Protection of Overseas Citizens; sought to simplify entry and exit procedures for citizens of both countries; and Japan provided relevant materials on the sinking of the Uki Maru incident to South Korea.
This meeting underscores the importance of South Korea and Japan’s cooperation in addressing regional security challenges and promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. As the two countries work together to enhance their bilateral relationship, they also demonstrate a commitment to addressing historical issues and moving forward in a constructive manner.
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