Press Conferences

Extraordinary Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa

Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 3:29 p.m. Seoul

This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only.
Japanese

Opening Remarks

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I visited the Republic of Korea (ROK) as Prime Minister Kishida’s Special Envoy since yesterday (May 9) to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Yoon Suk-yeol that was held today (May 10).

Following my attendance at the presidential inauguration ceremony, I paid a courtesy call on President Yoon. I congratulated him on his inauguration as President and gave him a personal letter from Prime Minister Kishida.

I stated that amidst the current global situation in which the rules-based international order is threatened, there has never been a time when Japan-ROK strategic cooperation and Japan-ROK-U.S. strategic cooperation have been needed more, and there is no time to waste to improve Japan-ROK relations. I also conveyed that it is necessary to develop Japan-ROK relations based on the foundation of friendly cooperative relations built up since the normalization of our diplomatic relations in 1965, and that we must resolve the pending issues between our two countries, including the issue of former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula.

In response, President Yoon stated that he places importance on Japan-ROK relations and would like to cooperate together to improve them. He also stated that he would like to maintain close communication going forward.

Yesterday evening (May 9), Mr. Park Jin, the nominee for the next ROK Foreign Minister and I had a dinner meeting. I conveyed the same thoughts as I have just stated. Mr. Park and I shared the recognition that Japan-ROK relations must not deteriorate any further. We also shared the view that the pending issues between Japan and the ROK should be resolved at an early stage, and that two governments would hold consultations with a sense of speed, including high-level consultations. In addition, we shared the view that we would strengthen Japan-ROK-U.S. cooperation, including in dealing with North Korea.

Furthermore, I strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and stated that it is a serious situation that shakes the foundation of the international order, not only in Europe but also in Asia.

Moreover, at noon today (May 10), I was invited to a luncheon meeting by the Yoon administration’s delegation (the ROK-Japan Policy Consultation Delegation) that recently visited Japan, including Deputy Speaker Chung Jin-suk of the ROK National Assembly. We held a frank exchange of views regarding pending issues between Japan and the ROK, and again shared the view that two countries will closely communicate under the Yoon administration.

The ROK is an important country, and Japan-ROK cooperation and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation are indispensable for regional stability, including in dealing with North Korea. Although Japan-ROK relations are in a very difficult situation due to issues such as the issue of former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula and the comfort women issue, we cannot leave this as it-is. Japan will closely communicate with the new ROK administration based on our consistent position in order to restore healthy Japan-ROK relations. From this perspective, I believe that my visit was an important opportunity to directly convey Japan’s consistent position to the new ROK administration, including President Yoon and Mr. Park, and communicate closely with the new administration. That is all from me.

Question-and-Answer Session

Reporter: You mentioned that President Yoon said that he places importance on Japan-ROK relations and that he would like to conduct close communication. Did he mention a specific method, or a major vision or direction toward improving relations?

Minister Hayashi: I would like to reiterate that I have conveyed to President Yoon and Mr. Park that it is necessary to develop Japan-ROK relations based on the foundation of friendly and cooperative relations built up since the normalization of our diplomatic relations in 1965, and for that we must resolve the pending issues between two countries, including the issue of former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula.

Additionally, President Yoon stated that he places importance on Japan-ROK relations and would like to cooperate to improve them. He also stated that he would like to conduct close communication going forward.

Reporter: At the meeting with Mr. Park yesterday, two sides agreed to hold high-level consultations. What are your thoughts at this point on the outlook for being able to reach a solution that is acceptable for both Japan and the ROK while keeping Japan’s consistent position?

Minister Hayashi: During the meeting with the ROK side, I had various discussions regarding Japan-ROK relations in general. The ROK side showed its strong will not to allow Japan-ROK relations to deteriorate any further. However, I would like to refrain from giving any further details because this is a diplomatic communication that includes statements from the ROK side. In any case, Japan will closely communicate with the new ROK administration, including President Yoon and Mr. Park, based on our consistent position to restore healthy Japan-ROK relations.

Reporter: You handed a personal letter from Prime Minister Kishida to President Yoon. Please tell us what message was conveyed from Prime Minister Kishida to President Yoon.

Minister Hayashi: I did hand the Prime Minister’s personal letter to President Yoon. As it was a personal letter, I would like to refrain from revealing its contents or other details.

Reporter: You shared the recognition that Japan-ROK and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation are extremely important. Based on this visit, how will you strengthen those relations?

Minister Hayashi: Yes, during the meeting, Mr. Park and I shared the recognition that Japan-ROK relations must not be allowed to deteriorate any further. We also shared the view that the pending issues between Japan and the ROK should be resolved at an early stage, and that two governments would hold consultations with a sense of speed, including high-level consultations. Nothing has been decided about a summit meeting going forward. The Government of Japan will closely communicate with the new ROK administration, including President Yoon, based on Japan’s consistent position to restore healthy Japan-ROK relations. From this perspective, I stated that I would like to meet with Mr. Park in Japan in the near future to continue our consultations.

Reporter: President Yoon has stated earlier that he would like to aim for a comprehensive solution regarding the pending issues. Was there any sort of explanation on this comprehensive solution during the series of meetings? Also, please tell us about your thoughts on the comprehensive approach.

Minister Hayashi: President Yoon stated that he places importance on Japan-ROK relations and that he would like to cooperate to improve them. He also stated that he would like to conduct close communication going forward. I have visited the ROK on the occasion of the presidential inauguration ceremony. The ROK side showed its strong will to not allow Japan-ROK relations to deteriorate any further. However, I would like to refrain from giving any further details because this is a diplomatic communication that includes statements from ROK side.

Reporter: Regarding the Quad, President Yoon has stated earlier that he would positively consider participating in the Quad if invited. During the meeting, was there any mention or discussion regarding the Quad?

Minister Hayashi: There was no particular mention of the Quad during the meeting with President Yoon and Mr. Park.

Reporter: You stated the intention to hold consultations again soon with Mr. Park. In regard to the high-level consultations that you mentioned earlier, what is your impression on the sense of speed or a shared goal of realizing a summit meeting within the year?

Minister Hayashi: Mr. Park and I shared the recognition that Japan-ROK relations must not be allowed to deteriorate any further. We also shared the view that two governments would hold consultations with a sense of speed, including high-level consultations, in order to resolve the pending issues at an early stage. As I stated before, nothing has been decided about the summit meeting, but we intend to conduct close communication with the new ROK administration. As I stated earlier, I would like to meet with Mr. Park in Japan in the near future and continue our consultations.

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