[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide had initially agreed to hold a meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit, but it has been reported that Japan unilaterally canceled it.
According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official on the 14th, South Korean and Japanese diplomatic authorities had tentatively agreed to hold an informal summit during the G7 summit held in Cornwall, UK, from the 11th to the 13th (local time).
The official said, "During this G7 summit, President Moon Jae-in held separate bilateral talks with leaders from the UK, the EU (European Union), Germany, France, and Australia, which was a significant diplomatic achievement," adding, "However, it is regrettable that a summit with our close neighbor Japan did not take place."
He continued, "From the beginning, we expected a positive response from the Japanese side with an open attitude," and stated, "However, it is regrettable that Japan, citing the annual East Sea territorial defense exercises, ultimately did not respond even to the informal meeting that had been tentatively agreed upon at the working level."
In this regard, President Moon said on social media as he left the UK, the host country of the G7, "The first face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Suga was a precious time that could have been a new beginning in Korea-Japan relations," but also expressed regret that "it did not lead to a meeting."
The South Korean military's East Sea territorial defense exercises, cited by Japan as the reason for canceling the meeting, are better known as the "Dokdo Defense Exercises."
These exercises, involving naval and coast guard vessels and aircraft, have been conducted twice a year since 1986, and this year's first half exercises were scheduled for this week.
Japan has protested through diplomatic channels every time South Korea conducts the Dokdo Defense Exercises, but there are criticisms that it is difficult to accept the cancellation of the initially agreed summit just because of this.
In diplomatic circles, there is an analysis that Prime Minister Suga is focusing more on criticism than dialogue with South Korea.
According to Kyodo News, Prime Minister Suga said to reporters after the G7 summit that he would not consider a summit with President Moon Jae-in unless issues related to forced labor and comfort women compensation rulings are resolved.
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