Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the summit a “big step” toward rebuilding security and economic ties, and overcoming a century of difficult history between the two countries.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands before their bilateral meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, Japan on March 16, 2023. Photo: AP
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol both stressed the importance of improving relations as they opened the summit, which took place just hours after North Korea's missile launch.
In his opening remarks, Mr Kishida said the meeting would mark the resumption of regular visits between leaders, which had been stalled for more than a decade.
The countries agreed to resume defense dialogue and vice-ministerial-level strategic talks, and restart trilateral communication between Japan, South Korea and China, he said at a joint press conference.
The two leaders agreed that “strengthening Japan-South Korea relations is an urgent task in the current strategic environment,” Kishida added.
Mr. Yoon said Thursday’s meeting “has special meaning because it shows the people of both countries that South Korea-Japan relations are making a new start after being hindered by many issues.”
A view of the Japan-South Korea summit in Tokyo, Japan on March 16, 2023. Photo: Yonhap
Mr. Yoon said the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as security, economy and people-to-people exchanges. Previously, Japan and South Korea had a long-standing dispute over Japan's occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945 and some disputes over islands.
The United States said it supported the meeting between Kishida and Yoon. “The United States will continue to support Japan and the Republic of Korea as they take steps to turn this new understanding into lasting progress,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
Hours before the summit began, South Korean Trade Minister Lee Chang-yang said Japan had agreed to lift export controls on South Korea after talks this week and that South Korea would withdraw its complaint to the World Trade Organization after the restrictions were lifted.
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said it acknowledged the improvement in South Korea's export controls after the talks and due to Seoul's decision to drop the WTO case, Japan decided to lift restrictions on South Korea.
Bui Huy (according to AP, Kyodo, Yonhap)
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