As Japan-South Korea relations chilled, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mori met with South Korea's First Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Choi Jung-gon for the first time since taking office, calling for an appropriate response to the comfort women issue and the issue of "recruitment" during the Pacific War. However, Deputy Minister Choi only explained his traditional position.
Vice-Minister Mori pointed out that Japan-South Korea relations are in a very difficult situation due to the South Korean side's response to the comfort women issue and the issue of "recruitment" during the Pacific War, and it is the responsibility of the South Korean side to resolve these concerns. I urged you to respond to.
On the other hand, First Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Choi Jung-gon followed a parallel line, only explaining based on the conventional position of the Korean side.
In addition, while Mr. Choi protested that Mr. Soma, Minister of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, made inappropriate statements regarding the Mun Jane administration's diplomatic stance toward Japan, Mr. Mori regretted that he made extremely inappropriate statements. I conveyed the recognition that it was.
The two vice ministers agreed that the current situation of Japan-South Korea relations should not be left as it is, and confirmed that they would continue to communicate with the diplomatic authorities in order to restore a healthy relationship.
On the other hand, the two vice ministers agreed that cooperation between Japan and South Korea and the three countries of Japan, the United States and South Korea is important for regional stability, including the response to North Korea, and confirmed that they will continue to work closely together. did.