Minister Park Jin's Trip to Japan... "Expecting to Meet Prime Minister Kishida Fumio"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who will visit Japan for three days starting from the 18th, said, "I look forward to meeting Prime Minister Kishida Fumio."

Minister Park met with reporters at Gimpo Airport on the same day and said, "It is very meaningful to make my first official visit to Japan as the foreign minister since the new government was launched," adding, "I plan to have in-depth discussions on current issues and mutual interests between the two countries through a foreign ministers' meeting with Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa." He also added, "I will convey President Yoon Seok-yeol's strong will to improve Korea-Japan relations."

He continued, "I plan to pay my respects directly in Japan to former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and express deep condolences and sympathy to the Japanese people."

Regarding the core agenda of this foreign ministers' meeting, the issue of compensation for forced labor victims, and Japan's demand for a solution from Korea, he said, "Discussions are underway within our public-private consultative body," and added, "I intend to explain the situation and work on ways to resolve this issue desirably."

He also said, "We plan to comprehensively discuss various current issues, including GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement)," and "We will discuss ways for Korea and Japan to jointly respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

Regarding the Korea-Japan summit, he said, "Once these current issues find a way to be resolved, it can naturally take place at a convenient time."

Minister Park will head to Japan using the Gimpo-Haneda route on the day. He said, "I am very pleased that the air route between the two countries has reopened," and "I hope that such human exchanges will continue to be activated."

Regarding the visa-free entry measure, he added, "We plan to discuss how Korea and Japan can take measures on this matter."