G7 Summit Leads to De Facto Collapse of South Korea-Japan Summit Meeting

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The possibility of a South Korea-Japan summit meeting, anticipated to take place during the Group of Seven (G7) summit, is now understood to be virtually canceled.

This is because both countries have found it difficult to justify holding the meeting amid adverse issues such as the Dokdo dispute and mutual government criticisms.

According to diplomatic sources on the 7th, during the G7 summit scheduled from the 11th to 13th in London, UK, the South Korean and Japanese governments are not expected to coordinate schedules for a summit meeting.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Previously, a South Korea-US-Japan summit was planned during the G7 period, raising the possibility of a separate South Korea-Japan summit being arranged through US mediation.

However, on the 1st, the South Korean government unusually summoned Soma Hirohisa, the Charg? d'Affaires at the Japanese Embassy in South Korea, publicly to protest Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu's remarks and the depiction of Dokdo on the Tokyo Olympic website map.

Japan marked a small dot on the nationwide map showing the torch relay course on the Tokyo Olympic website, placing it above Shimane Prefecture at the location corresponding to Dokdo, thereby implying that Dokdo is Japanese territory.

On the 31st of last month, Foreign Minister Motegi criticized the South Korean government's response regarding the Korea-Japan comfort women agreement, saying, "The 'goalposts' are constantly being moved by South Korea."

The Japanese government also appears to have halted efforts to promote a South Korea-Japan summit.

Kyodo News, citing multiple Japanese government officials, reported that ahead of the G7 summit, the Japanese government has decided not to coordinate a South Korea-Japan summit in advance.

The Japanese government's judgment is that Prime Minister Suga is not in an environment to agree to a summit because South Korea has not presented effective solutions regarding historical issues.

Diplomatic circles expect that at the G7 summit, President Moon and Prime Minister Suga will likely only exchange brief greetings if they encounter each other in the meeting room or waiting areas.

At the G20 summit held in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019, President Moon and then-Prime Minister Abe Shinzo met at the photo session location and parted with a silent handshake.