Japan-Republic of Korea Relations

President Moon explained that he faithfully conveyed Prime Minister Abe's message to Chairman Kim Jong-un. President Moon expressed the view that a Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting will definitely be necessary in order to build peace on the Korean Peninsula, stated that he intends to provide proactive support and cooperation towards realizing that Summit, and explained that this year is the 20th anniversary of the Japan-ROK Joint Declaration, and he intends to elevate the future-oriented Japan-ROK relations to a higher level in this milestone year.

In response, Prime Minister Abe expressed respect for President Moon's leadership at the recent Inter-Korean Summit, and thanked President Moon for mentioning Japan-North Korea relations, including the abductions issue, at the Summit. Prime Minister Abe stated that he hopes Japan and the ROK, and Japan, the ROK and the United States will continue to work closely together towards the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe explained that he hopes to advance the future-oriented Japan-ROK relation this year, the 20th anniversary of the Japan-ROK Joint Declaration between Mr. Keizo Obuchi, Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Kim Dae-jung, President of the ROK.

President Moon provided a detailed explanation of the outcomes of the recent Inter-Korean Summit, and in response, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan will spare no effort in cooperating with the ROK so that President Moon's efforts will lead to concrete outcomes towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Prime Minister Abe expressed the view that the full implementation of all relevant UNSC resolutions is important in this regard and explained that Japan intends to continue to coordinate with the ROK. In addition, President Moon explained that he once again raised the abductions issue to Chairman Kim, and Prime Minister Abe responded by expressing his gratitude and requesting continued cooperation. Prime Minister Abe stated that he is prepared to depart frommutual distrust and meet face to face with Chairman Kim.

Prime Minister Abe stated that there is a need to steadily implement the agreement between Japan and the ROK on the comfort women issue. In response, President Moon once again stated that he will not abandon the Japan-ROK agreement nor ask to renegotiate it. The two leaders shared the view that they will mutually exercise wisdom with regard to the comfort women issue so that it does not negatively affect the Japan-ROK relationship. In addition, Prime Minister Abe reiterated Japan's fundamental position on the former "requisitioned" civilian workers issue. The two leaders shared the view that they will continue to appropriately manage the difficult issues between Japan and the ROK in order to build a future-oriented Japan-ROK relationship.

Prime Minister Abe expressed the view that he intends to continue to maintain Japan-ROK-U.S. coordination in order to urge North Korea to take concrete actions, and explained that he hopes to cooperate with President Moon to manage the difficult issues between Japan and the ROK. The two leaders agreed on the importance of coordination on the issue of North Korea, and cooperation to build  future-oriented Japan-ROK relation.