Korea-Japan Leaders: "North Korean Ballistic Missile, Serious and Grave Provocative Act"

President Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and poses for a commemorative photo during the Korea-Japan summit held at a hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the 13th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio held a Korea-Japan summit on the 13th (local time) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. During the 45-minute meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to normalize relations between the two countries.

The meeting took place in the afternoon at a hotel in Phnom Penh. Originally scheduled for 30 minutes, it extended well beyond that. The two leaders met for the first time in two months since their encounter at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September. Before the meeting, Prime Minister Kishida expressed condolences to the families of the Itaewon crowd crush victims and the Korean people, and President Yoon offered condolences for the two Japanese victims.

President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida condemned North Korea's successive ballistic missile launches as “serious and grave provocations threatening peace and security not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in Northeast Asia and the international community.” They agreed to cooperate on UN Security Council-level responses and strengthening security cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

President Yoon disclosed the contents of the “Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Strategy” announced on the 11th. Prime Minister Kishida introduced that Japan plans to announce its own “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan” early next year.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Office stated in a press release that “the two leaders evaluated that active communication between diplomatic authorities regarding bilateral issues is ongoing and agreed to continue consultations for a prompt resolution.” Relations between South Korea and Japan remain strained over the issue of compensation for forced labor.