Presidential Office: "Discussing Korea-Japan Issues... Considering Restoring Shuttle Diplomacy Once Settled"

Korea-Japan Diplomatic Authorities Hold Director-General Level Talks Today... Possibility of 'Third-Party Subrogation'

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The Presidential Office has stated regarding the possibility of a Korea-Japan summit that "the two governments are discussing bilateral issues between Korea and Japan." However, it refrained from specifying a concrete timeline, saying, "It is not being conducted with a set end date."

A senior official from the Presidential Office said in response to reporters' questions about the prospects of a Korea-Japan summit at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, "Once the issues in Korea-Japan relations enter the resolution stage, the restoration of shuttle diplomacy between the leaders can also be considered." This implies that resolving historical issues to some extent is a priority.

Currently, the two countries are in final coordination over the biggest issue, the forced labor solution. The Korean government needs more time to gather domestic public opinion, including persuading the victims. Some suggest that the Korea Forced Mobilization Victims Support Foundation under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety might pay the compensation to the confirmed judgment victims on behalf of Japanese companies.

Meanwhile, Korea-Japan diplomatic authorities reportedly held a director-level meeting in Seoul today to discuss the issue of compensation for forced mobilization victims. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced the 'third-party subrogation' method at a forum on the 12th, where Korean companies raise funds to compensate victims first.