Japanese Foreign Minister "Coordinating Timing for Korea-Japan Security Dialogue"

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa stated on the 17th, "The South Korea-Japan leaders have agreed to resume security talks and vice ministerial strategic talks at an early date, and we will coordinate the specific timing of these meetings going forward."

At a regular press conference that day, Foreign Minister Hayashi said, "The South Korea-Japan leaders agreed at yesterday’s summit to resume South Korea-Japan security talks and vice ministerial strategic talks at an early date."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He emphasized, "South Korea is an important neighboring country with which we must cooperate to address various challenges facing the international community. Especially considering the current strategic environment including North Korea, close cooperation between South Korea and Japan, as well as among South Korea, Japan, and the United States, is important."

Regarding President Yoon’s remark during his visit to Japan about the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant contaminated water discharge issue, stating that "scientific analysis is necessary," Hayashi avoided a direct answer, saying, "The South Korea-Japan leaders discussed various current issues, but since the details are diplomatic exchanges, I refrain from commenting."

Concerning Prime Minister Kishida’s announcement at the previous day’s South Korea-Japan summit press conference about the "resumption of the high-level South Korea-China-Japan process," he mentioned, "The specific process and schedule for future cooperation among South Korea, China, and Japan will first be reviewed at the working-level among the three countries based on the results of the South Korea-Japan summit."