Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister, Meets with Japanese Ambassador to Korea: "Need for Multilateral Trade Cooperation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] On the 7th, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki met with Koichi Aiboshi, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, at the Government Seoul Office. This meeting was held as a courtesy following Ambassador Aiboshi's appointment in February.

Deputy Prime Minister Hong told Ambassador Aiboshi, "There is a need for cooperation between the two countries in multilateral trade areas such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)." He also said, "The economies of Korea and Japan are highly complementary and interdependent, and it is necessary to respond quickly to the rapid changes in economic structures caused by the COVID-19 crisis," adding, "It is very important for neighboring countries Korea and Japan to cooperate."

Regarding the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for July, he added, "The Korean government will also cooperate for a successful event."

Ambassador Aiboshi said, "I hope that once the COVID-19 situation improves, there will be progress in sports and human exchanges between Korea and Japan," and added, "In addition to climate change, the issues of low birthrate and aging population are areas where constructive cooperation between Korea and Japan is possible and are key priorities for the Japanese government. Going forward, integrated cooperation through exchange of opinions and information will be possible."

Both Korea and Japan agreed that there is much room for cooperation on climate change issues. The Ministry of Economy and Finance reported that they meaningfully evaluated the ongoing discussions on climate change through this year's P4G (Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030) Summit, the G7+3 (Korea, Australia, India) Summit, and the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties.