Prime Minister Han Coordinates Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida During Abe's State Funeral Period

Prime Minister Han Leads Korean Government Condolence Delegation to Attend Former Prime Minister Abe's State Funeral on the 27th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is coordinating his schedule to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the 28th, taking advantage of his attendance at the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Kyodo News reported on the 21st that "Prime Minister Kishida is expected to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Han for about 15 minutes at the Motoakasaka State Guest House in Tokyo on the 28th."

A South Korean Prime Minister's Office official also told Yonhap News Agency on the same day, "Prime Minister Han is coordinating to meet with Prime Minister Kishida." Regarding this, the South Korean Prime Minister's Office stated, "We are also coordinating plans for a meeting between Prime Minister Han and Prime Minister Kishida."

The South Korean government condolence delegation led by Prime Minister Han will attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe held at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on the 27th. The delegation is headed by Prime Minister Han, with Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party (Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly), serving as deputy head. Included in the delegation are Ambassador Yoon Deok-min to Japan and Yoo Heung-soo, Chairman of the Korea-Japan Friendship Association Central Committee (former Ambassador to Japan). Prime Minister Han is scheduled to depart on the 27th for a 1-night, 2-day visit to Japan.

About 700 foreign dignitaries will attend former Prime Minister Abe's state funeral, and Prime Minister Kishida will hold individual meetings over three days from the 26th to the 28th with more than 30 foreign leaders, including Prime Minister Han.

Prime Minister Kishida is also arranging to meet and dine on the 26th with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who will attend the state funeral representing the U.S. government. This will be Vice President Harris's first visit to Japan since Kishida took office, and they plan to confirm cooperation to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific during a 30-minute meeting. Kishida is also considering a meeting with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the same day.

On the 27th, the day of the state funeral, meetings are being coordinated with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. On the 28th, Prime Minister Han is scheduled to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, and others.