'Future-Oriented Korea-Japan Partnership' Joint Statement Adopted
No Position Taken on Line Yahoo Incident
Business leaders from Korea and Japan expressed on the 15th their hope that a new partnership between the two governments will be declared next year, marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan.
On the afternoon of the same day, the business leaders of both countries adopted a joint statement titled "Korea-Japan Partnership Leading to the Future" at the 56th Korea-Japan Business Conference held at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo.
In the joint statement, they stated to the two governments, "On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, we hope that a new partnership will be declared to further develop the friendly cooperative relationship between the two countries."
They also included a message saying, "Business leaders from both countries will seek mutually beneficial areas for sustainable development and strengthen a partnership that leads to the future."
Next year, the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, the two governments are expected to sign a new Korea-Japan joint declaration to elevate bilateral relations to the next level. Last year, the 25th anniversary of the "New Korea-Japan Partnership for the 21st Century Joint Declaration" signed by President Kim Dae-jung and Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi in 1998, opinions advocating the need for a new joint declaration were raised in some circles in both countries.
The business leaders also pledged in the joint statement to cooperate in new industry sectors such as supply chain construction and joint resource development, semiconductors, displays, digital transformation (DX), green transformation (GX), hydrogen, and startup cultivation, and to strive to strengthen mutual networks aimed at solving common challenges. Furthermore, they agreed to actively support and contribute to broad and diverse exchanges in areas such as the next generation, culture, and regions.
Kim Yoon, chairman of the Korea-Japan Economic Association (and chairman of Samyang Holdings), the head of the Korean delegation, said at a press conference, "The business leaders on both sides raised the need to establish a committee to study implementation plans for the cooperation areas included in the joint statement," adding, "We plan to conduct research over the next year to develop concrete plans."
Mikio Sasaki, chairman of the Japan-Korea Economic Association (former chairman of Mitsubishi Corporation), the head of the Japanese delegation, evaluated the Korea-Japan Business Conference held face-to-face in Tokyo for the first time in six years as "overall beneficial."
Regarding the "Line Yahoo incident," which emerged as an unexpected obstacle in the improving Korea-Japan relations, they said, "We do not know much," and did not express any particular stance.
The Korea-Japan Business Conference is a representative joint meeting of business leaders from both countries that has been held annually without interruption since its first meeting in 1969 to promote economic cooperation between Korea and Japan. The 57th conference next year is scheduled to be held in Korea.
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