Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Minister Park Jin is communicating with Japan regarding the promotion of his visit"

Foreign Minister Park Jin is having a meeting with advisory committee members at the opening ceremony of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Economic Security Diplomacy Center held at the Gwanghwamun Platinum Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is coordinating with the Japanese side for Foreign Minister Park Jin's official visit to Japan.

At a regular briefing on the 31st, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Choi Young-sam said regarding the coordination of Minister Park's visit to Japan, "Communication between Korea and Japan is currently underway," and added, "We will share related information in a timely manner once it can be shared."

Both sides appear to have begun detailed discussions on Minister Park's visit schedule on the premise that an official meeting between the two ministers is essential for improving Korea-Japan relations.

However, differences remain on the core issue of historical disputes that have worsened bilateral relations, and with Japan's House of Councillors election approaching in July, there is a possibility that Minister Park's visit to Japan may be postponed until after the election.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa (林芳正) visited Korea on the 9th to attend President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony and met with then-candidate Park Jin. At that meeting, Foreign Minister Hayashi conveyed to the Korean side his hope to hold consultations on Korea-Japan joint interests in Japan as soon as possible.

In response to a question about whether Minister Park would use the Gimpo-Haneda flight route, expected to resume on the 15th of next month, to visit Japan, he said, "Regarding the resumption of the route, Korea and Japan are discussing it at the working level," and added, "It is still a bit early to say when and on what schedule it will be realized."

He also mentioned that discussions are ongoing about restoring visa exemptions with Japan, stating, "There is a movement to start by resuming people-to-people exchanges between Korea and Japan and to create such an atmosphere."

Meanwhile, at the briefing, spokesperson Choi said regarding the possibility of holding a high-level Korea-US-Japan meeting in response to North Korean provocations, "The three countries share a common recognition of the need for a high-level cooperation mechanism on regional issues," and added, "Accordingly, we are currently coordinating related schedules."