South Korean President Meets First Atomic Bomb Survivors... Commitment to Resolving Historical Issues
South Korea-Japan Leaders Meet After Two Weeks, Confirm Willingness for Security, Economic, and Cultural Cooperation
Likely South Korea-US-Japan Summit... Possibility of Expanding 'Washington Declaration'
President Yoon Suk-yeol will depart on the 19th to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Hiroshima, Japan. Although invited as a guest country, he will engage in a 2-night, 3-day schedule from that day until the 21st, participating not only in the official meetings but also in bilateral summits with Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. Notably, President Yoon plans to meet with Korean atomic bomb survivors residing in Japan in Hiroshima for the first time among South Korean presidents, expressing his commitment to resolving historical issues.
The key point to watch is the anticipated trilateral summit among South Korea, the United States, and Japan during the G7. President Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden will meet again in less than a month, marking the third trilateral summit since the Yoon administration began. At this meeting, they are expected to review progress on cooperation regarding North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats following the Phnom Penh joint statement and discuss collaboration on supply chains and climate change.
There is also cautious speculation about the possible expansion of the ‘Washington Declaration,’ which includes the U.S.’s practical extended deterrence and the establishment of a high-level U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG). President Yoon mentioned at this month’s South Korea-Japan summit that "the Washington Declaration is, for now, an agreement based on a bilateral framework between South Korea and the United States," but also stated that "Japan’s participation is not excluded." This implies that since the Washington Declaration is not finalized but requires ongoing discussion, joint planning, and implementation between South Korea and the U.S., cooperation with Japan is also possible at any time.
Moreover, the U.S. and Japanese leaders held a one-hour summit the previous day, confirming their intention to closely cooperate on security challenges posed by North Korea and China. Considering that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he would further advance South Korea-Japan relations and President Biden welcomed this, it is expected that more developed outcomes will emerge following the Phnom Penh joint statement.
The South Korea-Japan leaders will sit at the table again after just two weeks. Since this is the third meeting this year following President Yoon’s visit to Japan in March and Prime Minister Kishida’s reciprocal visit this month, rather than introducing new agendas, the meeting is likely to subdivide the previously discussed topics of security, economy, and cultural cooperation or serve as an occasion to reaffirm the two countries’ willingness to cooperate.
President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida are reported to jointly pay respects at the ‘Memorial Monument for Korean Atomic Bomb Victims’ within the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, potentially delivering a new message regarding historical issues between South Korea and Japan. This monument honors Koreans who were victims of the atomic bomb dropped by the U.S. military on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, to hasten the end of World War II; these individuals suffered during forced mobilization under Japanese colonial rule. The current Japanese prime minister is the first to visit this monument since then-Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi attended an event at the Peace Park in August 1999 and visited the monument.
That evening, a meeting with Korean atomic bomb survivors residing in Japan in Hiroshima is scheduled. The presidential office emphasized the significance of this meeting, stating, "No previous president has met with them. They have not faced this issue directly." President Yoon is expected to deliver a message at this gathering about promoting improved relations for future generations of South Korea and Japan and continuing to resolve historical issues.
During the G7 summit, members are expected to exchange views on the situation in Ukraine, nuclear disarmament, and non-proliferation issues, followed by a joint statement announcing the meeting’s outcomes. It is also anticipated that President Yoon will reiterate the South Korean government’s position. Given that President Yoon has repeatedly mentioned a ‘rules-based international order,’ direct remarks targeting Russia and China may be made. The G7 is known to oppose changes to the status quo by force, countering Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s implied use of force against Taiwan, and to express its commitment to upholding an international order based on law.
President Yoon is also expected to speak at the expanded G7 meeting on global issues such as food security, security, climate, and energy development. Discussions may also cover the key themes of ‘rules-based international order’ and ‘engagement policies toward emerging developing countries.’ Additionally, President Yoon will hold bilateral summits in Hiroshima with Vietnam, Australia, India, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. On the first day, the 19th, he will meet separately with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. On the second day, the 20th, bilateral talks are scheduled with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. However, due to the G7 summit schedule, additional bilateral meetings may be added or existing ones canceled. The presidential office stated, "Due to the nature of multilateral meetings, even confirmed bilateral schedules can be suddenly adjusted."
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