Park Jin, "Kishida Japanese Prime Minister, Welcome to Attend Presidential Inauguration Ceremony"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] On the 25th, Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated regarding whether Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will attend President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony on the 10th of next month, "If he decides to attend and notifies us, we will welcome it."

On his way to the confirmation hearing preparation office in Jongno-gu that day, Park told reporters, "I have not heard anything yet. That is a matter for Japan to decide," expressing this view.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The day before, the Korea-Japan policy consultation delegation dispatched by President-elect Yoon arrived in Japan. It is known that from the 25th, the delegation may coordinate with the Japanese side regarding Prime Minister Kishida's attendance at the inauguration ceremony.

Regarding whether he would meet with Ed Keegan, Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania at the White House National Security Council (NSC) U.S. preparation team for the Korea-U.S. summit currently visiting Korea, Park said, "Nothing has been scheduled yet."

Last month, Park, who visited the U.S. as the head of President-elect Yoon's Korea-U.S. policy consultation delegation and met Director Keegan, conveyed that Keegan considered economic and security issues the most important in Korea-U.S. relations.

He added, "(Director Keegan) said he hoped the Korea-U.S. summit would be a fruitful visit if held early."

Regarding the confirmation of the Foreign Minister's official residence as the new presidential residence, Park said, "I have not been formally notified yet," but added, "However, I think the transition committee has effectively reached a conclusion."

As for the new official residence candidate site, he said, "There is nothing to report at this stage," and added, "If the transition committee reaches a conclusion soon, we will follow it."

Concerning concerns that the venue for the Korea-U.S. summit, expected around the 20th to 21st of next month, is not suitable, he explained, "We are exploring various options for the venue," and "Nothing has been finalized yet."