President Moon: "Korea and Japan are important partners... We must overcome difficulties with a spirit of cooperation and determination"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] On the 14th, President Moon Jae-in received credentials from the ambassadors of Japan, the Dominican Republic, and Latvia to South Korea at the Blue House and urged the newly appointed ambassadors to play a role in expanding cooperation.

During a conversation with the ambassadors to South Korea, President Moon reportedly asked for cooperation in responding to COVID-19 and achieving an inclusive economic recovery.

In particular, President Moon told Koichi Aiboshi (相星孝一), the Ambassador of Japan to South Korea, that "South Korea and Japan are geographically and culturally the closest neighbors and friends, and very important partners who must cooperate together for peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and the world," according to Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok.

President Moon said, "When I congratulated Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (菅義偉) on his inauguration last September through a phone call, I was able to confirm the willingness for dialogue and cooperation," adding, "With a spirit and will to cooperate, we can overcome any difficult issues."

Regarding the Tokyo Olympics, he wished for its success, but expressed concern over Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

On the same day, Ambassador Aiboshi conveyed a message from Emperor Naruhito (德仁) to President Moon, saying, "I hope to comfort the Korean people who are suffering from COVID-19 and to promote friendly relations with Korea."

Ambassador Aiboshi said, "Although the current bilateral relationship is not fully satisfactory, I hope to resolve current issues through dialogue under the president's leadership," emphasizing the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

Federico Alberto Queyo Camilo, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to South Korea, expressed support for Korea's New Deal and said, "I hope to promote cooperation centered on this," to which President Moon responded, "Korea will actively cooperate as well."

Additionally, Aris V?gants, Ambassador of Latvia to South Korea, conveyed greetings from President Egils Levits and requested the first visit of the Korean president to Latvia, to which President Moon said, "Thank you for the invitation."