Japanese Foreign Minister: "Support South Korea's Efforts to Elevate Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting to Summit"

Yoko Kamikawa, Japan's Foreign Minister, stated on the 26th that she firmly supports South Korea, the chair country, in its efforts to ensure that the Korea-China-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Busan leads to a trilateral summit among the three countries.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Visiting South Korea for two days from the 25th to attend the trilateral foreign ministers' meeting, Foreign Minister Kamikawa wrote in an exclusive article sent to Yonhap News Agency, "We intend to exchange constructive opinions on the direction of Korea-Japan-China cooperation in the post-COVID-19 era," conveying this message.

This is the first Korea-China-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting in over four years and three months. The meeting, chaired by Foreign Minister Park Jin of South Korea, will be attended by Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister of China.

Foreign Minister Kamikawa said, "From 1999, when Korea-Japan-China cooperation began, until 2019, the number of Korean and Chinese tourists visiting Japan increased about twelvefold, and despite ups and downs, the flow has become as wide and strong as a great river."

She added, "The three countries, each with significant presence, now share great responsibility for peace and prosperity in the Northeast Asia region," and "Furthermore, it has become urgent for the three countries to pool their wisdom to respond to global challenges."

Although she has been in office for less than three months, she mentioned the importance of Korea-Japan relations, noting that this is already her third face-to-face meeting with Minister Park Jin.

Foreign Minister Kamikawa reiterated, "South Korea is an important neighbor with whom we must cooperate as partners in addressing various challenges in the international community," and said, "At a time when the international community is facing a historic turning point, there has never been a greater need for close Korea-Japan cooperation."

She went on to say that Japan and South Korea will serve together as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council next year, and stated, "We will further strengthen cooperation not only in advancing bilateral relations but also in addressing global challenges."

She also noted, "Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon have resumed Korea-Japan 'shuttle diplomacy,' holding seven summit meetings just this year, vigorously driving the development of bilateral relations," and added, "I also intend to use this opportunity to build a solid trusting relationship and communicate closely with Minister Park."

She emphasized, "I will actively engage so that this meeting will be remembered by future generations as the starting point for Korea-Japan relations and Korea-China-Japan relations to leap to a higher level."