New York Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers Meeting... "In-depth Discussion on Forced Labor"

President Yoon Seok-yeol Attends UN General Assembly, Meets South Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers to Coordinate on Current Issues
Exchanges Views on Solutions for Forced Labor Compensation

[Asia Economy Reporters Inho Yoo, Kyunghwan Bae, New York=Special Correspondent Seulgina Cho] Ahead of President Yoon Seok-yeol's attendance at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan met in New York, USA, to engage in in-depth discussions on the resolution of compensation for forced labor, the biggest issue between the two countries.

It is still uncertain whether a South Korea-Japan summit will take place during the UN General Assembly, but if it does, issues such as the resolution of forced labor compensation are expected to be on the agenda.

On the 19th (local time), Foreign Minister Park Jin held a South Korea-Japan foreign ministers' meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi for about 50 minutes at a hotel in New York.

The meeting drew attention as it was held amid ongoing coordination for a summit between President Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the UN General Assembly. After the meeting, Minister Park briefly told reporters, "We had many good discussions," but did not answer questions related to the South Korea-Japan summit.

It was reported that the meeting involved a deep exchange of views on the resolution of forced labor compensation, considered the biggest issue in bilateral relations.

According to a Foreign Ministry official, Minister Park explained to Foreign Minister Hayashi the plan to raise private funds reviewed by the government through domestic experts and a public-private consultative body. Along with the government's reviewed solutions, the voices of forced labor victims were also conveyed to the Japanese side.

The official said, "Minister Park introduced cases where he personally listened to the victims' voices, conveyed specific opinions from various sectors domestically to Japan, and urged a sincere response."

The Japanese side reportedly listened attentively and exchanged in-depth opinions with the South Korean side, according to the Foreign Ministry.

He added, "We once again agreed to continue dialogue and consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries on various occasions going forward," and "The two ministers confirmed their shared understanding of the need for the prompt restoration, recovery, and improvement of South Korea-Japan relations."

President Yoon arrived in New York, USA, that morning and will deliver a keynote speech at the UN General Assembly on the afternoon of the 20th. In his speech, President Yoon plans to present messages centered on the keywords of freedom alliance, economic security, and contribution diplomacy.

He is also expected to mention the ‘Bold Initiative,’ proposed as a new solution to the North Korean nuclear issue, but it is likely that specific details will not be included. A presidential office official also explained, "No new proposals regarding North Korea's denuclearization or the Bold Initiative will be additionally mentioned."

The multilateral diplomacy during the three-day, two-night schedule in New York is also a point of interest. On the 21st, President Yoon will hold a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. President Yoon will also attend a reception hosted by President Biden and the First Lady.

The South Korea-U.S. summit is the second, following the one held in South Korea last May. It is expected that they will focus on follow-up measures regarding the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) with the United States.