Yoon and Kishida Hold 7th Summit This Year... "100% Restoration of Intergovernmental Consultative Body"

APEC in San Francisco Hosts Japan-Korea Summit
Kishida: "Japan and Korea Can Cooperate as Partners"

On the 16th (local time), President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in San Francisco, USA, where he was attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. President Yoon evaluated that "all intergovernmental consultative bodies agreed upon by the two countries in March have now been 100% restored." This marks the seventh summit meeting between the South Korean and Japanese leaders this year. The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields including politics, economy, security, and culture going forward.

In his opening remarks at the Korea-Japan summit held at a hotel in downtown San Francisco that morning, President Yoon said, "I am pleased to see Prime Minister Fumio again after two months since the G20 summit," adding, "Through seven summit meetings with the Prime Minister this year, we have solidified trust between the two countries and are continuing the positive momentum in Korea-Japan relations."

The two leaders have held summit meetings on the occasions of President Yoon’s visit to Tokyo in March, Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Seoul in May, the Group of Seven (G7) summit in May, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in July, the Korea-US-Japan summit at Camp David in August, and the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in September. Separate from the summit meeting on this day, President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida are scheduled to hold a roundtable discussion on "Korea-Japan and Korea-US-Japan advanced technology cooperation" at Stanford University on the 17th.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The two leaders evaluated that through summit diplomacy and consultations among officials, the intergovernmental consultative bodies have been fully restored and exchanges have been revitalized. President Yoon emphasized, "This year, exchanges at all levels, including the summit, have been activated and intergovernmental consultative bodies have been restored, deepening cooperation between the two countries. Following the Security Policy Consultative Meeting and the Economic Security Dialogue in the first half of the year, the Strategic Dialogue between Deputy Foreign Ministers resumed last month, resulting in the 100% restoration of all intergovernmental consultative bodies agreed upon by the two countries in March." President Yoon also stated, "Going forward, including holding high-level economic consultations, I will work closely with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to ensure close communication between the two countries in various fields."

Prime Minister Kishida responded, "It has only been two months since our last meeting in India, and today marks our seventh meeting this year," adding, "Meanwhile, the situation in the Middle East and global affairs are rapidly evolving. In this context, the close cooperation between Japan and Korea regarding the evacuation of nationals from Israel is very reassuring." He continued, "Together with President Yoon, we have promoted cooperation in various fields such as politics, security, economy, and culture," and expressed hope to "further advance these efforts." Prime Minister Kishida particularly evaluated the strong will of both Korea and Japan to reject fragmentation and lead cooperation, emphasizing, "In this regard, Japan and Korea can cooperate as partners."

The meeting reportedly started about 20 minutes later than scheduled because Prime Minister Kishida arrived late due to local traffic conditions. Upon entering the meeting room, Prime Minister Kishida apologized to President Yoon, saying, "I am sorry to have kept you waiting. I got out of the car and walked because I was afraid I would be late."

Attending the meeting from the Korean side were Foreign Minister Park Jin, National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo, Senior Secretary for Public Relations Kim Eun-hye, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok, and Diplomatic Secretary Lee Chung-myeon. From the Japanese side were Chief Cabinet Secretary Murai, Director of the National Security Secretariat Akiba, Prime Minister’s Secretary Shimada, and Prime Minister’s Secretary Otsuru.

[Image source=Yonhap News]