Seoul [South Korea], May 7 (ANI): South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol mentioned on Sunday that he agreed with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that the 2 nations ought to be part of fingers to deal with rising safety threats in Asia.
Cooperation between Japan and South Korea is important for world peace and prosperity, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned as he met with Kishida, reported Taiwan News.
This is the primary such bilateral go to by a Japanese chief in additional than 12 years. Japan-South Korea ties reached their lowest level in many years below the left-wing administration of Yoon’s predecessor, Moon Jae In, over wartime points that included a labor compensation row, stopping the 2 nations from pursuing vital diplomatic negotiations.
The go to, which got here on the heels of a March journey to Tokyo by Yoon, was largely targeted on sustaining momentum for bettering ties after the connection plummeted in 2018 to its lowest level in years over wartime historical past and different points, reported JT.
Unresolved historic disputes mustn’t block South Korea and Japan from deepening ties within the face of worldwide crises, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned.
Kishida burdened Japan’s “unwavering” dedication to standing by previous authorities stances on the 2 neighbors’ shared historical past, together with the 1998 joint declaration that expressed “deep remorse and heartfelt apology” for Japan’s wartime aggression.
“This position will remain unchanged in the future,” Kishida instructed a joint news convention with Yoon, reported JT.
“My heart aches as many people went through very difficult and sad experiences in the harsh environment at that time,” he added.
The pledge by the leaders to spice up cooperation has been welcomed by the United States as a method to higher confront threats from North Korea and competitors from China, reported Taiwan News.
Kishida, who’s scheduled to host the Group of Seven summit in his constituency of Hiroshima later this month, has been keen to attain reconciliation with South Korea, because the United States, their shut ally, has change into warier of the safety scenario in Asia.
Kishida’s go to – the primary formal talks in over a decade involving a Japanese chief in Seoul – returns the journey Yoon made to Tokyo in March, the place they sought to shut a chapter on the historic disputes which have dominated Japan-South Korea relations for many years.
Kishida’s remarks may give Yoon area to manoeuvre amid opposition to a more in-depth relationship with Japan and not using a recent apology, particularly as the 2 look to bolster safety ties within the face of nuclear-armed North Korea, reported JT.
“It took 12 years for shuttle diplomacy to resume, but it took less than two months for the two of us to travel back and forth,” Yoon mentioned earlier than the assembly. “I believe that this is confirmation that the newly restarted South Korea-Japan relationship is picking up speed and continuing to move forward.” (ANI)