Kishida, Japanese PM: "A critical time for Korea-US-Japan cooperation amid threats to international order"

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio Delivers Congratulatory Address at the Joint General Meeting of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary League on the 3rd
"North Korea's Nuclear and Missile Threats, Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Mark a Historic Turning Point for the International Community"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on the 3rd regarding North Korea's military provocations, "There has never been a time when cooperation between Korea and Japan, and Korea, the U.S., and Japan, is as important as it is now, as the international order based on norms is being threatened."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Kishida made these remarks in a congratulatory message read by Koichi Aiboshi, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, at the 43rd Joint General Assembly of the Korea-Japan and Japan-Korea Parliamentary Leagues held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Kishida said, "The international community is facing a historic turning point due to North Korea's active nuclear and missile activities, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the two-and-a-half-year COVID-19 crisis, the energy and food crises, and the resulting inflation."

He added, "Korea is an important neighboring country with which we must cooperate to address various challenges facing the international community. Based on the friendly and cooperative relationship built since the normalization of diplomatic relations, it is necessary to restore and develop Korea-Japan relations into a sound relationship, and the Japanese government intends to communicate closely with the Korean government."

Earlier expressing condolences for the Itaewon crowd crush tragedy, Prime Minister Kishida also mentioned the Itaewon incident in his congratulatory message and mourned the victims.