Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shook hands with Prime Minister Nak-yeon, who returned to his face in about a year with a gentle smile. Abe, who changed his attitude after the press was sent off, said, He criticized the ROK side with a stern tone that he broke the foundation of an international treaty (the Korea-Japan Bill of Rights Agreement). "In order to improve the relationship in earnest, we must improve the situation of international law violations," he urged the Korean government to respond. " The Tokyo newspaper today described the atmosphere of the meeting between Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and Prime Minister Abe held in Japan's prime minister's residence the day before.

The newspaper stated that the prime minister had stated that he had complied with the billing agreement, but did not come up with a specific solution. The ministry's minister said the talks seem "a little different in perception."

As such, Japanese newspapers have generally focused on the lack of prospects for improved relations between the two countries over the past year due to the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling in October.

Prime Minister Abe made clear that the ball was on the ROK side by reaffirming that the ROKG should provide a solution to the condemnation award. The main focus was on improving relations if not released.

The Mainichi Shimbun also wrote that Prime Minister Abe was known to have repeatedly asked the Korean government to find a solution to the lawsuit after receiving an envelope with Moon's letter.

The newspaper said the difference in temperature was noticeable between the Japanese side, which did not soften its strong stance, and the South Korean side, who wanted to bring the two countries closer.

Indeed, the Minister of Defense Okada held a briefing at the request of the Japanese press corps after the meeting the previous day, saying, "The Korean Supreme Court ruling breaks the legal foundation of the Korea-Japan relationship from the ground up. Korea is unilaterally breaking international treaties. "We introduced the remarks during Prime Minister Abe's talks."
This has been repeated by Prime Minister Abe, but it is more specific and intense than the statement made by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the meeting, saying "Korea must keep its promises between nations."

Mainich says the move is a glimpse of the prime minister's leadership in the response to the issue of recruitment.

According to the Nihon Geizai newspaper, Abe talked twice about the violation of South Korea's international law following a draft ruling.

Abe said during the talks that "I would like to see the (Korea) keep the promises between the nations, thereby creating a sound relationship with the ROK-Japan relations," and at the end of the talks, "(Korea) Supreme Court ruling clearly violates international law. Breaking the legal foundation of the ROK-Japan relations from the ground up. (Korea) is unilaterally breaking the international treaty, ”he urged the Korean government to respond to the Supreme Court ruling.

The remarks have been repeatedly reported in the media in the words that Abe has repeatedly repeated in his parliamentary response.

This has helped Abe to reaffirm his thoughts over and over again with the Korean government.

In response to Abe's first statement, Lee responded, "Korea has respected and followed the billing agreement. It will be."

Abe did not give the prime minister an opportunity to respond to the issue by bringing it back to the table at the end of the talks.

The Asahi Shimbun cited a South Korean government official and said that the Korean government welcomed President Moon's visit to Japan after the reign of King Naruhito, and reviewed President Moon's visit to Japan. There is no possibility that he was dismissed by the prime minister.

Asahi said that the Japanese government has remained unchanged in calling for the Korean government to respond to the issue of recruitment. It is also coming out from within, and it is noted that the Japan-Japan summit will be completed within the year.

However, a senior Japanese government official told the Asahi Shimbun that "what Koreans will do after this meeting is the key. The ball is over there."

Meanwhile, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the president's letter to Prime Minister Abe, who quoted a Japanese government official, said that "I would like to meet and discuss future-oriented bilateral relations whenever possible".

In this regard, Yomiuri says observations are coming in to seek a way to hold a Korea-Japan summit following an international meeting such as the East Asian Summit (EAS) scheduled for next month.

Yomiuri says the talks focused on the issue of recruitment, and there was no mention of Japan's export control measures and the military information protection agreement (GSOMIA) that South Korea would end.

(Photo = Yonhap News)