Unification Minister Lee In-young met with Japanese Ambassador Tomita Koji to the Republic of Korea and asked the Japanese government to "support our government's efforts to improve inter-Korean relations with a broad view and a big heart."
At a meeting with Ambassador Tomita in the office of the 7th floor of the government building in Seoul on the afternoon of the 1st, Minister Lee said, "I heard that some parts of Japan are concerned about the rapid improvement of inter-Korean relations." "I think you are surely supporting the development of relations and peace on the Korean Peninsula."
Minister Lee said, "I think that creating peace on the Korean Peninsula through improved inter-Korean relations will lead to peace and stability in the whole of Northeast Asia, and will be very beneficial to Japan," he repeatedly requested for cooperation from the Japanese government.
He also described Japan as "the closest neighbor on the journey to peace on the Korean Peninsula" and said, "I hope we can share our dream of peace together."
Ambassador Tomita said he was fully aware of the ROK government's efforts under difficult circumstances. He said, "In order to put the vision into practice, we need to resolve a number of issues surrounding North Korea."
He said, “I believe that the UN Security Council resolution should continue to be implemented in the process,” saying that the environment for the rapid implementation of the agreement on denuclearization between the United States should be created.
He also noted that Japan's policy toward North Korea has always been consistent, adding that the North Korean kidnapping issue will be a very important task for Japan's new government.
(Photo = Yonhap News)