6th Official Summit... "An Opportunity to Strengthen Trust and Foster Cooperation and Development"
Kishida Likely to Seek Understanding from Korean Government... Korea "Prioritizes Public Safety"
President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will hold a summit on the 12th (local time) in Lithuania, where the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit is taking place. With Japan expected to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant this summer, Prime Minister Kishida is anticipated to seek understanding regarding the contaminated water discharge plan.
A presidential office official met with reporters on the 11th at the press center set up in Vilnius, Lithuania, stating, "Korea-Japan relations have normalized since March, and the two leaders will hold their sixth official summit tomorrow," adding, "Both Japan and Korea share the view that it would be good to use this opportunity to strengthen mutual trust, openly communicate, cooperate, and develop together."
If the Korea-Japan summit is finalized, Prime Minister Kishida is expected to request understanding from President Yoon regarding the safety of the marine discharge of contaminated water and seek the Korean government's approval. This is to minimize opposition arguments by securing consent from South Korea, the closest neighboring country, amid concerns and opposition from Pacific island nations about damage caused by the contaminated water. A presidential office official previously stated, "Our government's fundamental position is that the health and safety of our people come first," and "Under this principle, our government will clearly state its position regarding what the Japanese side raises."
The official also added, "It is likely that the contaminated water issue will come up," and "Various opinions are expected to be expressed on joint safety measures for the foreign exchange crisis, advanced technology research, supply chain stabilization cooperation plans, and mutual security cooperation agendas including the United States."
Attention is also focused on the message President Yoon will deliver regarding the contaminated water discharge. Considering Japan's intention to reduce opposition by obtaining consent from South Korea, the closest neighboring country, President Yoon will need to convey specific and clear positions on each matter. The official added, "The contaminated water issue ultimately stems from a natural disaster that occurred 12 to 13 years ago, and as a result, Asia-Pacific countries have suffered together. Amid overcoming these difficulties, Korea-Japan relations have normalized, and both leaders agree on using this opportunity to strengthen trust."
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