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Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and Japanese Prime Minister Abe met today (Wednesday) to agree that the relationship between the two countries can no longer be compromised. However, we were unable to narrow our stance on the issue of reimbursement, a key issue.

I'm Kim Hye-young.

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Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and Prime Minister Abe agreed that the 21-minute talks today should not further aggravate relations between Korea and Japan, which were exacerbated by compulsory redress and export restrictions.

[CEO Cho, Young-Young / Minister of Foreign Affairs: (The Prime Ministers) shared the view that the difficult situation of Korea-Japan relations cannot be left as it is.]

A letter from President Moon Jae-in also celebrated the opening of the era and hoped for the development of bilateral relations.

One page of the letter contains the words that both countries should try to resolve the issue early. Prime Minister Abe received the letter and thanked him.

The two prime ministers shared the need for improved relations and the importance of private exchanges, but reaffirmed their stance on the issue of reimbursement, a key issue.

Mr. Abe reiterated his previous stance that "state commitments must be kept," and said he will continue to communicate with diplomatic authorities to resolve the issue.

Mr. Lee responded, "Korea has also complied with the Korea-Japan Basic Relations Treaty and Billing Agreement in 1965 and will continue to do so."

There were no specific references to the Korea-Japan summit today.

The government expects the talks to be active through official channels between the two Koreas.