National Assembly Special Delegation Meets Japanese Prime Minister: "A Meaningful Year for the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations"

A special parliamentary delegation visiting Japan met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the 20th and agreed to make this year, the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, a meaningful year.

On the 20th, Joo Ho-young, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, met with former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the House of Representatives' Second Members' Office Building in Tokyo and listened to him. Deputy Speaker Joo visited Japan with a special parliamentary delegation. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the day, the special parliamentary delegation, consisting of Joo Ho-young, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly (Chairman of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary League), and lawmakers Yoon Ho-jung, Yoon Hu-deok, Lee Sung-kwon, and Lee Jun-seok, paid a visit to Prime Minister Ishiba at the Tokyo Prime Minister's Official Residence for about 20 minutes.

Prime Minister Ishiba stated that in the current strategic environment, it is important for Korea and Japan to maintain close communication. The delegation expressed that Korean lawmakers value bilateral relations beyond party lines.

Both sides confirmed their intention to cooperate for the successful hosting of the Osaka-Kansai Expo opening this April. They also agreed to strive to make this year, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization, meaningful to the peoples of both countries.

The delegation also held a meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, chairman of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary League. Former Prime Minister Suga said, "The two countries are important neighbors who must cooperate on various international issues, and the importance of this relationship remains unchanged." He also expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident that occurred last month at Muan Airport.

Vice Speaker Joo conveyed a letter from National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, expressing that Koreans hold deep gratitude for the special condolences and sympathy. Regarding some concerns within Japan about the political situation in Korea, he said, "I am confident that (Korean politics) will stabilize soon. Even if government relations become strained, I hope that the parliamentary leagues will consult more closely and work together so that Korea-Japan relations can develop." He added that he hopes former Prime Minister Suga, who postponed his visit to Korea last month, will visit soon.