Choi Acting Chief Meets Japanese Foreign Minister: "Korea-Japan Cooperation Essential"

Choe Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance, is shaking hands with Takashi Iwaya, Japanese Foreign Minister, on the 14th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. (Photo by Ministry of Economy and Finance)

Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance, met with Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who is visiting Korea on the 14th, and agreed to continue close economic cooperation.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance reported that Acting President Choi and Foreign Minister Iwaya agreed that Korea and Japan, sharing values and interests, will cooperate steadfastly and develop bilateral relations. Both sides also agreed that amid the severe international situation, Korea-Japan and Korea-US-Japan cooperation is more crucial than ever.

Furthermore, they agreed to steadily implement the commemorative projects that both countries have been preparing together to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations next year.

Acting President Choi evaluated the Japanese government's emphasis on the importance of Korea-Japan relations and its close communication with the Korean government, and welcomed Foreign Minister Iwaya's visit to Korea as his first overseas trip this year.

Foreign Minister Iwaya expressed condolences regarding the Jeju Air passenger plane accident and thanked Acting President Choi for his warm welcome.

Both sides agreed to continue close economic cooperation based on the mutually complementary relationship between the two countries' industries amid increasing uncertainties in the trade environment.

Acting President Choi and Foreign Minister Iwaya also confirmed mutual support for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), chaired by Korea this year, and the Korea-Japan-China cooperation process, chaired by Japan.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also released a statement saying that Acting President Choi and Foreign Minister Iwaya met for about 30 minutes, confirmed close coordination between the two governments, and agreed to further develop Korea-Japan relations toward the future.

Foreign Minister Iwaya also appreciated the clear stance that the Korean government remains committed to developing sound Korea-Japan relations.