Meeting between South Korea and Japan Foreign Ministers Today... First Face-to-Face since 'Emergency Martial Law'

Easing Concerns Over Diplomatic Vacuum... Emphasis on Advancing Korea-Japan Relations
Iwaya's First Visit to Korea... Pays Respects at Seoul National Cemetery
60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Normalization, Expected Discussions on North Korea and Other Issues

The top diplomats of South Korea and Japan will meet to discuss ways to develop their relationship. This is expected to serve as an opportunity to alleviate concerns about a 'diplomatic vacuum' following the emergency martial law situation and to reaffirm both countries' commitment to continuing cooperation.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol (right) held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting held in Lima, Peru, last November. Photo by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 13th, Minister Cho Tae-yeol and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting this afternoon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This will be their second face-to-face meeting following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting held in Lima, Peru, last November. It is the first meeting since the emergency martial law situation, and the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to South Korea in 1 year and 2 months since November 2023.

As his first schedule upon arrival, Foreign Minister Iwaya will pay respects at the National Seoul National Cemetery. It is reported that the Japanese side sent an official letter first expressing their wish to visit. This is interpreted as an intention to express a commitment to improving Korea-Japan relations by visiting the historically symbolic cemetery first. The last time a Japanese foreign minister visited the National Cemetery was about 7 years ago in April 2018 by Kono Taro. Before that, Machimura Nobutaka paid respects in November 2004.

Minister Cho and Foreign Minister Iwaya are expected to agree on leading Korea-Japan relations steadily despite South Korea’s political turmoil following the emergency martial law and subsequent impeachment crisis. They confirmed the unchanged importance of bilateral relations during a phone call after the martial law on the 11th of last month.

In particular, Foreign Minister Iwaya stated on the 7th, "I believe in the resilience of Korean democracy," and attention is focused on whether he will deliver a message about the 'restoration of democracy' during this meeting as well. On the 14th, he is also reportedly coordinating a schedule to pay a courtesy visit to Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance.

Cho Tae-yeol, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yonhap News

Additionally, as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan, it is expected that they will discuss cooperation plans for relationship development, including 'citizen-oriented commemorative projects.' The Korean and Japanese foreign ministries recently announced an official logo and slogan to be used for commemorative events and have been continuing related working-level consultations.

Common security issues such as North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and the close military ties between North Korea and Russia are also expected to be on the agenda. Foreign Minister Iwaya emphasized on the previous day on Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, "We have a serious interest in South Korea, and we want to quickly restore stability and strengthen Korea-Japan and Korea-US-Japan relations even further."