SEOUL — On September 6, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met in Seoul, emphasizing the importance of sustaining the recent momentum in their improved bilateral relations. Kishida’s visit comes as he prepares to step down later this month, marking the end of his tenure amid a crucial period for Japan-South Korea relations.
Kishida reiterated Japan’s commitment to advancing the partnership, acknowledging the historical grievances stemming from Japan’s colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945. “There is a lot of history, but it is very important to inherit the efforts of our predecessors who overcame difficult times, and cooperate toward the future,” Kishida said, expressing sympathy for the suffering endured by Koreans during that period.
President Yoon echoed the sentiment, stressing the need to build on the positive developments achieved during their leadership. He suggested that the upcoming year, which will mark the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations, could be pivotal for further progress. “There are still difficult issues remaining in Korea-Japan relations. I hope that both sides will continue to work together with a forward-looking attitude so that we can continue to take steps toward a brighter future,” Yoon stated.
Yoon has prioritized mending relations with Japan and enhancing security cooperation to address North Korea’s military threats. This commitment was reinforced during a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden at Camp David in 2023, where the three leaders pledged to strengthen military and economic cooperation.
Mira Rapp-Hooper, a senior official at the White House National Security Council, expressed confidence that Kishida’s successor will uphold the renewed alliance. “Both Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon took on a great deal of personal and political risk to advance their bilateral ties in ways that prior governments hadn’t,” she said.
However, there are concerns about whether the momentum will be maintained with changes in leadership. Kim Hyoung-zhin, a former South Korean deputy foreign minister now studying in Japan, noted that shifts in government often lead to changes in foreign policy approaches.
Adding to the tensions, a small group of protesters gathered outside Yoon’s office before Kishida’s arrival, criticizing Japan for not adequately addressing its wartime past and condemning Yoon for spending government resources on Kishida’s farewell visit.