First Visit of Japanese Foreign Ministry Director to Korea Since Suga Cabinet Inauguration, Discussing Deep-Rooted Issues

Resolution of Forced Labor Compensation Issue and Other Conflict Topics Likely to Be Discussed at Meeting Table
Visiting Korea for Three Days Starting the 28th... Attention on Whether Progressed Discussions Will Be Achieved

Shigeki Takizaki, Director-General for Asia and Oceania at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is entering the building on the 16th to attend the 'Korea-Japan Vice Ministerial Meeting' held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] About ten days after the Secretary-General of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party visited Korea, a Japanese government official will visit Korea. This is the first visit by a Japanese official to Korea since the inauguration of the Suga Yoshihide Cabinet. With Korea-Japan relations sharply confronting issues such as compensation for forced labor during the Japanese colonial period and Japan's unilateral export restrictions, there is interest in whether discussions between Korean and Japanese officials can make progress.

According to NHK and diplomatic circles on the 28th, Takizaki Shigeki, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will visit Korea from this day until the 30th to meet with key figures including Kim Jeong-han, Director-General of the Asia-Pacific Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for talks. This is four months after the Korea-Japan director-level working-level talks in June and the first face-to-face director-level meeting since Prime Minister Suga took office.

Attention is focused on whether this meeting between Korean and Japanese diplomatic officials will narrow the differences in positions on the ongoing conflicts between the two countries. In particular, there is interest in whether Japan, despite low expectations, will present any advanced proposals regarding the forced labor compensation issue, amid Prime Minister Suga’s repeated tough remarks.

Prime Minister Suga is shifting the responsibility for the forced labor compensation issue onto Korea and actively using it for domestic political purposes. In his first parliamentary speech on the 26th, he referred to "Korea as a very important neighboring country," but also stated, "For a sound Korea-Japan relationship, we will strongly demand appropriate responses based on a consistent stance." This was effectively aimed at the conflict surrounding forced labor compensation.

During a press conference on the 21st while visiting Indonesia, Prime Minister Suga also emphasized, "If the seized assets of Japanese companies are liquidated, Korea-Japan relations will face a very serious situation that must be absolutely avoided." The Japanese government demands that the Korean government provide a solution, arguing that the October 2018 ruling by the Korean Supreme Court ordering compensation to forced labor victims violates the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Agreement.

Additionally, there is interest in whether discussions will be held regarding the Korea-China-Japan summit, which the Moon Jae-in administration aims to hold in December. NHK expects that Director-General Takizaki will request the Korean side to resolve the forced labor issue and convey to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs that if an appropriate response is not made, Prime Minister Suga’s visit to Korea will be difficult.

Meanwhile, NHK reported that Director-General Takizaki is also coordinating a meeting schedule with Lee Do-hoon, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Office for Peace and Security Affairs on the Korean Peninsula, during this visit. If the meeting takes place, it is expected that they will exchange views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula, as Prime Minister Suga has placed the resolution of the abduction issue of Japanese nationals by North Korea at the forefront.