Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers' Brief Meeting... Gap Over 'Forced Labor' Remains

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan met on the afternoon of the 4th in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) related foreign ministers' meeting was held, reaffirming their commitment to improving bilateral relations.

However, concerns about the improvement of South Korea-Japan relations remain as the two governments have yet to narrow their differences over the issue of compensation for forced labor, one of the causes of the conflict between the two countries.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 5th, Foreign Minister Park Jin held a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa for about 35 minutes at the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh the previous afternoon.

This was already the second South Korea-Japan foreign ministers' meeting since Minister Park took office about three months ago. Including informal meetings, Minister Park and Foreign Minister Hayashi have met face-to-face a total of four times.

After the meeting, Minister Park told reporters, "Although the time was short, we seriously exchanged views on facing the past between the two countries and ways to develop the relationship in a future-oriented manner, as well as on current issues and mutual interests," adding, "We agreed to accelerate consultations between the two countries going forward."

He also emphasized, "Given the serious situation on the Korean Peninsula, we reached a consensus to continue cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan," and "We confirmed that cooperation between South Korea and Japan is even more important in enhancing relations with ASEAN."

In particular, Minister Park reportedly urged Japan once again to respond sincerely to resolve bilateral issues, including the compensation rulings for forced labor victims, during this meeting. He also pointed out the problems caused by the prolonged export restrictions imposed by Japan on South Korea.

Regarding this, Foreign Minister Hayashi is said to have made no special remarks. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, "While the Japanese side listened to Minister Park's opinions, they did not make the usual remarks such as 'South Korea should bring a solution first' regarding the forced labor issue."

In diplomatic circles, the continued meetings between the foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan are seen as positive, but the lack of a solution to the forced labor compensation issue is still acting as an obstacle to improving bilateral relations.

Moreover, although the government is operating a public-private consultative body to find a solution to the forced labor victims' issue and is making efforts to find a resolution, the victims' side boycotted the consultative body on the 3rd and a solution has yet to be found.