Kishida Expresses Strong Displeasure Over South Korea's 'Unilateral Announcement of Summit'

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
[Photo by AP]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed strong displeasure over South Korea's unilateral announcement of the Korea-Japan summit meeting, Asahi Shimbun reported on the 21st, citing government officials.

According to the report, Prime Minister Kishida reacted to the South Korean presidential office's announcement on the 15th that they had agreed to hold a Korea-Japan summit during the UN General Assembly and were coordinating the schedule by saying, "If that's the case, then let's not meet."

Kishida's reaction is interpreted as stemming from the perception that the presidential office's announcement of the summit meeting was premature. On the same day as the presidential office's announcement of the Korea-Japan summit, Hirokazu Matsuno, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, responded to related questions at a regular press conference by saying, "Nothing has been decided."

Just before departing for the United States to attend the UN General Assembly the previous day, Prime Minister Kishida also stated regarding the Korea-Japan summit, "No schedule has been decided yet."

Officials from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly expected that even if President Yoon Suk-yeol and Prime Minister Kishida met during the UN General Assembly, it would be brief, Asahi reported. Asahi assessed, "The temperature difference between the two governments is pronounced, making the prospects for the summit uncertain."