Press Conferences

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I just held a telephone talk with Cho Tae-yul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) for the first time.

At the outset, Minister Cho expressed his congratulations to me on my assumption of office, and I expressed gratitude for his congratulations. I stated that Japan and the ROK are important neighbors that should work together as partners in dealing with various issues in the international community, and that under the leadership of the two leaders, now Prime Minister Ishiba and President Yoon, I would like to work closely with Minister Cho to further develop the Japan-ROK relationship.

I consider it important to further deepen mutual understanding between the two countries in order to make the current good relationship between the two countries sustainable. We concurred on working to foster an environment which will encourage further exchange between the two countries, seizing the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-ROK relations next year.

Furthermore, we also exchanged views on dealing with North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues. On the current situation of serious concern, we also concurred on working closely together bilaterally and trilaterally among Japan, the ROK and the U.S. In addition, we discussed the human rights issue in North Korea, reaffirmed close cooperation on the abductions issue.

In the current severe strategic environment, we believe close cooperation between Japan and the ROK is critical for the two countries, for the region, and for peace and stability throughout the international community. With this recognition, following the telephone talk, I am determined to work hard so as to foster even firmer and wider-ranging bilateral cooperation.

Reporter: Do you intend to visit the ROK and hold an in-person meeting at an early date? How eager are you to do that?

Minister Iwaya: Minister Cho was keen on me visiting, and I, too, would like to visit the ROK as soon as possible. Having entered an era when the two leaders are conducting shuttle diplomacy, I am looking forward to conducting shuttle diplomacy between the foreign ministers.