[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] Han Duck-soo, Prime Minister of South Korea, who is visiting Tokyo, Japan to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, met with former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on the second day of his visit, following a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the 28th.
From 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM that day, Prime Minister Han met with former Prime Minister Suga and expressed his deep condolences and sympathy over the passing of former Prime Minister Abe. Han urged close cooperation between South Korea and Japan to promptly improve bilateral relations and requested special support from former Prime Minister Suga, who holds a broad network across both ruling and opposition parties in Japanese politics. The Prime Minister’s Office reported that former Prime Minister Suga pledged to actively support efforts by both governments to improve Korea-Japan relations.
Prime Minister Han also met with Nicolae-Ionel Ciuc?, Prime Minister of Romania, to exchange views on bilateral relations between Korea and Romania, practical cooperation, and collaboration on the international stage. At the meeting, Han mentioned that Romania was the only European country to provide vaccines to South Korea during a time when vaccine supply was difficult, and said, "Let us continue to work together to develop the strategic partnership between Korea and Romania."
Both sides agreed on the necessity to enhance cooperation between the two countries in areas such as nuclear power, SMRs (Small Modular Reactors), defense, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Prime Minister Han stated that the government would take an interest in ensuring systematic exchanges between companies from both countries.
Han also explained the excellent infrastructure of Busan, located at the crossroads of Eurasia and the Pacific, and the potential for cooperation between Busan and Constan?a, requesting Romania’s support for Busan’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo.
After completing key diplomatic schedules including a meeting with invited Japanese business leaders and meetings with Japanese political figures including former LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, Prime Minister Han departed for home.
At the meeting with invited Japanese business leaders, opinions were exchanged on Korea-Japan economic cooperation and revitalization of human exchanges. Attendees included Masakazu Tokura, Chairman of the Japan Business Federation, and Mikio Sasaki, Chairman of the Japan-Korea Economic Association.
Prime Minister Han expressed gratitude for the continuous efforts of Korean and Japanese businesspeople to promote economic cooperation between the two countries despite difficult Korea-Japan relations. He also explained the South Korean government’s efforts to restore human exchanges between the two countries and to host the 2030 Busan World Expo, asking for the interest and support of the Japanese business community.
Chairman Tokura of the Japan Business Federation stated that the Japanese business community would play a necessary role in improving and developing Korea-Japan relations.
At the meeting with Japanese political figures were former LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai (LDP 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo Promotion Headquarters Chief), Takeo Kawamura, Chairman of the Japan-Korea Friendship Association Central Committee, and Ryota Takeda, Secretary-General of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary League.
Prime Minister Han wished for the successful hosting of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo and requested Japan’s special interest to help South Korea host the 2030 Busan World Expo.
The Prime Minister’s Office evaluated, "Prime Minister Han’s visit to Tokyo was the first visit by a South Korean Prime Minister in three years and, following last week’s Korea-Japan foreign ministers’ meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and the first summit between the two countries’ leaders in two years and nine months, it became an important opportunity to contribute to the improvement and development of Korea-Japan relations."
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