Japanese Media: "Korea-Japan Leaders Consider First Meeting During International Conference This Month"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Japanese and South Korean leaders are likely to hold a summit meeting during international conferences they are scheduled to attend this month, according to reports by Japan's Asahi Shimbun and Kyodo News on the 2nd.

Kyodo News reported, "It is highly likely that a South Korea-Japan summit will be held in conjunction with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in Cambodia and the G20 summit in Indonesia, both taking place this month."

Asahi Shimbun also cited Japanese government officials saying, "Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon are scheduled to attend the ASEAN summit, G20 summit, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this month, and a meeting is being coordinated in one of these countries." Asahi explained, "Although the issue of forced laborers (the Japanese term for Koreans conscripted during the Japanese colonial period), the biggest issue between South Korea and Japan, has not been resolved, it was judged necessary to further improve bilateral relations considering the situation with North Korea."

However, it predicted, "If a formal summit is held before the forced labor issue is finally resolved, backlash from conservative factions of the Liberal Democratic Party is expected, so the realization of the summit remains uncertain, and it may take the form of a brief talk or informal meeting rather than a full summit." It also added, "President Yoon is likely to face difficulties coordinating due to responding to the accident in Itaewon where more than 150 people died."

Earlier, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu, a spokesperson for the Japanese government, stated at a regular press conference that "At this point, nothing has been decided regarding a South Korea-Japan summit."

This report from Japanese media came as Taro Aso, Deputy President of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (and former Prime Minister), visited South Korea on the 2nd and 3rd. Aso, visiting as chairman of the Japan-Korea Cooperation Committee, met with President Yoon Suk-yeol. Japanese media expect that issues such as compensation for forced labor during the Japanese colonial period, North Korean missile issues, and the holding of a South Korea-Japan summit were discussed at this meeting.