Yoon Meets Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba for the First Time: "Let's Continue Shuttle Diplomacy... Cooperate Closely"

Korea-Japan Leaders Agree on Continued Development of Relations

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 10th (local time) during his first summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, "Following former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, I hope to firmly continue the development of Korea-Japan relations through active and close communication, including shuttle diplomacy, with Prime Minister Ishiba."

On this day, President Yoon held his first summit meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba, who took office on the 1st, on the sidelines of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit held in Vientiane, Laos.

President Yoon said, "Since my visit to Japan in March last year, Korea-Japan relations have made significant positive progress," adding, "This change was possible because of the unwavering trust between the leaders of the two countries."

He continued, "The upcoming year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan," emphasizing, "I hope we can closely cooperate to present a hopeful future vision for bilateral relations and enable the people of both countries to feel the leap forward in relations."

In response, Prime Minister Ishiba said, "In today's strategic environment, close cooperation between Japan and South Korea is very important for regional stability and peace," adding, "I intend to inherit and develop the significantly improved bilateral relations achieved by President Yoon and former Prime Minister Kishida." He also said, "I hope we can closely cooperate while utilizing shuttle diplomacy."

Prime Minister Ishiba added, "To make the currently favorable bilateral relations sustainable, exchanges and mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries are important," and "On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations next year, I hope the Japanese government will also work to foster such Korea-Japan relations."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is having a phone conversation with newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the afternoon of the 2nd at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]