Former Prime Minister Abe to Yoon's Policy Council: "I Hope Korea-Japan Relations Return to Better Times"

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The Korea-Japan policy consultation delegation dispatched by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol met with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the afternoon of the 27th.

Jung Jin-seok, the head of the delegation, told reporters after the meeting at the House of Representatives members' office building that day, "We had a conversation in a good atmosphere for 30 minutes," and added, "I told former Prime Minister Abe that it seems like a ray of light is shining on the Korea-Japan relationship, which has been wandering in a dark tunnel."

Regarding this, former Prime Minister Abe reportedly said that he hopes the Korea-Japan relationship "returns to the good old days," Jung said.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jung, who revealed that issues such as forced labor and comfort women were also discussed during the meeting, said, "The 2015 comfort women agreement is an official agreement between governments, but I clearly stated that the dignity, honor restoration, and spirit of healing for the victims must not be overlooked."

He also mentioned that various issues such as security and the abduction of Japanese citizens were discussed, saying, "I emphasized that strategic cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and Japan is extremely crucial at this point, and we talked about many constructive matters."

Meanwhile, he stated that the issue of attending the inauguration ceremony next month was not raised during the meeting with former Prime Minister Abe.

Jung explained his activities in Japan, saying, "During the four days of policy talks, none of the people we wanted to meet refused, and we met with all of them," and emphasized, "The Korea-Japan relationship cannot be resolved by one-sided efforts; it requires sincerity and effort."

Following the meeting with former Prime Minister Abe, the delegation also met with Izumi, the leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, to exchange views on Korea-Japan cooperation. The Korea-Japan policy consultation delegation will return home on the 28th.