Cho Tae-yong, Ambassador to the U.S., "Forced Labor Solution Provides Many Opportunities for Korea-U.S.-Japan Cooperation"

Cho Tae-yong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States

Cho Tae-yong, South Korean Ambassador to the United States, stated on the 9th (local time) that the South Korean government's solution for compensating forced labor victims holds significant meaning not only for Korea-Japan relations but also for Korea-US relations.

At the Korea Economic Institute (KEI) event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance held in Washington DC that day, Ambassador Cho said, "(The South Korean government's) decision is not only about Korea and Japan," adding, "It is also related to the relationship between the United States and us, as well as our desire to maintain a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and globally."

He continued, "This decision will provide many opportunities for cooperation and positive outcomes among the three countries: Korea, Japan, and the United States."

Ambassador Cho evaluated that President Yoon Seok-yeol and the government approached Korea-Japan relations from a strategic and broader future-oriented perspective rather than a political one. He asserted, "I believe the South Korean government made a decision that aligns with our national interests by taking the initiative and demonstrating leadership, rather than continuing negotiations with Japan."

While acknowledging that various opinions have emerged regarding the government's recent decision, Ambassador Cho emphasized the need to persuade that "it is a decisive choice to improve relations with Japan for Korea's future and fundamental interests."

He stated, "It is very important not to be bound anymore by an approach that views Japan through the lens of past history or a victim mentality," adding, "We should try to engage with Japan as it is, from a future-oriented perspective, identify Korea's core interests in the relationship with Japan, and it seems President Yoon has made such a decision."

Meanwhile, former US Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris, who attended the event, gave a positive evaluation of the forced labor solution, saying, "President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida demonstrated political will."