Meeting with Foreign Minister Hayashi of the Korean Delegation “I would like to have a sincere dialogue to improve relations”

The delegation sent by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol of South Korea to Japan met with Foreign Minister Hayashi and others.

After the visit, the delegation expressed its willingness to engage in a dialogue on various issues between the two countries in order to improve Japan-South Korea relations, while expressing the idea that a diplomatic effort by both sides is required to resolve the issue.

A delegation headed by South Korean Vice-Chairman Chung Jin-suk, who has been visiting Japan since the 24th, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the morning of the 25th and met with Foreign Minister Hayashi and others.

After the visit, Vice-Chairman Chung told reporters, "I hope we can maintain and strengthen cooperation closely while sharing the values ​​of liberalism and market economy in both countries. It was a match. "

On top of that, he said, "I would like to have a sincere dialogue on the issues in order to create a new turning point," while keeping in mind the issues between Japan and South Korea, such as the issue of "recruitment" during the Pacific War. It is difficult to make one effort alone, and both Japan and South Korea must make sincere efforts. "

Chung also asked Foreign Minister Hayashi if he had requested him to attend the presidential inauguration ceremony on the 10th of next month. I want to provide hospitality with sufficient sincerity. "

The South Korean delegation is planning to stay in Japan until the 28th of this month and is also requesting a meeting with Prime Minister Kishida, and the Japanese government is carefully considering how to respond while observing the appearance of the South Korean side.

Delegation leader "I must return immediately at the best time"

President-elect Chung Jin-suk, who is the head of the delegation sent to Japan by South Korean President-elect Yoon Seo-gyeol, told a reporter at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that "President-elect Yun had the best relationship with Japan in the past. We have the recognition that we must return to the time immediately. The two countries are destined to be neighboring countries, so we must restore the future-oriented relationship. "

He then agreed that "the two countries must work closely together as countries that share the values ​​of liberal democracy and a market economy, while sharing challenges for the future." He showed his willingness to improve relations with Japan.

Meeting with executives of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary Union Emphasizing the stance of improving Japan-Korea relations

On the morning of the 25th, the delegation met with former Minister of Finance Fukushiro Nukaga of the Liberal Democratic Party and former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of the Constitutional Democratic Party, who are the chairman of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary Union, which is made up of bipartisan parliamentarians at a hotel in Tokyo. Did.

In this, the delegation emphasized that the principle of President-elect Yun's relations with Japan is to improve what is said to be the worst situation and return it to the state at the time of the Japan-Korea Joint Declaration announced in 1998.

At the meeting, it was agreed that in order to respond to North Korea, which is activating nuclear and missile development, close cooperation between Japan and South Korea and the United States is indispensable, and efforts will be made to strengthen cooperation. ..

After the meeting, Mr. Kaga told reporters, "There was a frank exchange of opinions. I hope that today's meeting will be a step toward improving the relationship because Mr. Yun has given a good message." rice field.

The delegation also met with the former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, Mr. Nikai, who called for an appropriate response from the South Korean side regarding the issue of "recruitment" and the comfort women issue during the Pacific War. The new administration is ready to take a firm response. "

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary "Collaboration between Japan and South Korea is very important."

At a press conference, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Isozaki said, "While the international community is facing a time-changing change, sound Japan-South Korea relations will realize an international order based on rules and secure peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. It is also indispensable for the future. With the recent activation of nuclear and missile development by North Korea, including the launch of ICBM = intercontinental ballistic missile-class missiles, Japan, South Korea, the United States and Japan and South Korea, including the response to North Korea. Cooperation is very important. "

On top of that, "We need to develop Japan-South Korea relations on the basis of the friendship and cooperation that we have built since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965, and we look forward to the leadership of President-elect Yun. I would like to seize the opportunity to visit Japan and communicate firmly with the new administration. "

On the other hand, regarding the meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and the delegation, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Isozaki explained that it has not been decided at this time.