Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Coordinates Visit to South Korea on 7-8th... "North Korea and China Security Issues Likely to Be Key Agenda" (Summary)

Revealed to Press Corps During Visit to Ghana
Security Cooperation as Main Agenda... Forced Labor Issue Also in Focus

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has begun coordinating a visit to South Korea on the 7th and 8th, NHK and Kyodo News reported on the 1st (local time).

While visiting Ghana, Prime Minister Kishida told reporters on site that if the visit to South Korea is realized, it would be “an opportunity to openly exchange opinions on accelerating Japan-South Korea relations based on deep trust between the leaders and on the rapidly changing international situation,” expressing his expectations.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

During the talks, the two leaders are expected to confirm bilateral cooperation to respond to North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile development. TV Asahi analyzed that “security issues such as North Korea and China response, along with improving bilateral relations, will be the main topics of the summit.” The importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan is also expected to be shared.

In addition, economic cooperation measures following the restoration of the “white list” (export screening preferential countries) are likely to be on the table. Attention is also focused on whether Prime Minister Kishida will mention apology and reflection regarding compensation for forced labor victims.

If Prime Minister Kishida’s return visit is realized, it will be the first visit by a sitting Japanese prime minister to South Korea in five years since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Former Prime Minister Abe visited South Korea in February 2018 to attend the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. However, a visit by a Japanese prime minister for discussions between leaders will be the first in 12 years since former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in 2011.

Earlier, President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida held a summit in Tokyo last March and agreed to resume shuttle diplomacy between South Korea and Japan.

Subsequently, Prime Minister Kishida invited President Yoon to the Group of Seven (G7) summit to be held in Hiroshima from the 19th to the 21st of this month, and the two leaders are expected to hold another meeting about two weeks after this encounter.