SEOUL: South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin began a meeting in Tokyo on Monday (Jul 18) with his Japanese equal, carrying a message of reconciliation in hopes how the neighbours can overcome historical disputes and repair strained connections.
Connections have been fraught for a long time over the bitter heritage of Japan’s profession of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Disputes concern issues from wartime compelled labour to foreign trade controls, but each nations have indicated interest in improving relationships.
Park smiled as he bumped elbows at the meeting with Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on his first trip to the Japanese capital given that South Korea’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol took office in May, which is to be then a dinner.
There were no immediate details of their remarks.
Speaking to reporters in Seoul before flying to Tokyo, Park described his trip as “very meaningful”, adding that he would tell the Japanese side that Yoon had a strong can to improve South Korea-Japan relations.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of efforts by the United States in order to encourage both its key North Hard anodized cookware allies to mend ties and build co-operation on issues like North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes and China’s increasing influence.
Southern Korean officials hope the high-level visit will launch talks to secure a success in the disputes, despite concerns that the death associated with former Japanese leading Shinzo Abe could modify Japan’s policy priorities.
The vacation aims at “turning around the tap” for severe talks on problems about forced work, which stalled below Yoon’s predecessor, a senior official dealing with Japan policy informed Reuters last week.
Japanese officials furthermore say it is important to improve ties, but they turn to Seoul for plans to resolve disputes for example South Korean court orders to catch assets of Japan companies accused of not compensating a few colonial-era labourers.
South Korea’s Supreme Court is likely to make a final decision on liquidating the assets in August or even September, and Tokyo has warned associated with serious repercussions if the orders are enforced.