Korea-Japan Deputy Foreign Ministers: "High-Level Face-to-Face Exchanges, As Soon As Possible"

Preparation for the 60th Anniversary of Normalizing Diplomatic Relations Next Year

South Korean and Japanese diplomatic authorities confirmed their shared understanding on the development of bilateral relations and agreed to maintain close communication, including carrying out various commemorative projects to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan next year.

On the morning of the 26th, Kim Hong-gyun, First Vice Foreign Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Masataka Okano, Administrative Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, in Tokyo for the Korea-Japan Vice Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The two exchanged views on overall bilateral relations, Korea-Japan and Korea-US-Japan cooperation, and North Korean issues. Vice Minister Kim explained that the South Korean government is stably managing state affairs under the acting presidential system, and that all future processes will be conducted based on the constitution and laws.

Kim Hong-kyun, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, is taking a commemorative photo with Masataka Okano, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the morning of the 26th in Tokyo, Japan, before the Korea-Japan Vice Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Photo by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Both sides agreed on the importance of Korea-Japan relations and shared the view to maintain and develop bilateral relations without change going forward, and pledged to strive to sustain close exchanges and cooperation at all levels and in all fields.

In particular, ahead of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations next year, they agreed to communicate frequently centered on the task force established within the Korea-Japan diplomatic authorities and to implement various commemorative projects. Above all, they agreed to prepare achievements that the public can feel and to mutually consult so that high-level face-to-face exchanges between the two countries can be resumed as early as possible.

Additionally, both sides agreed that Korea-Japan and Korea-US-Japan cooperation should continue as an important framework for responding to regional and global challenges, and emphasized the need to firmly consolidate the cooperation achievements built so far. They also agreed to strengthen the Korea-US-Japan trilateral cooperation system to respond to the possibility of North Korean provocations and the strengthening of illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.