Japan’s Kishida and South Korea’s Yoon Emphasize Importance of Continuing Improved Relations

By Hyonhee Shin and Hyunsu Yim

SEOUL – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met on Friday in Seoul, urging continued momentum in improving relations between their countries, which may face challenges due to changes in leadership in both Tokyo and Washington.

Kishida’s final visit to South Korea as Prime Minister is part of a broader effort by both leaders to solidify their renewed partnership, a move encouraged by U.S. President Joe Biden. Historically, relations between these two close U.S. allies have deteriorated significantly due to ongoing diplomatic and trade disputes stemming from Japan’s occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

During their meeting, Kishida highlighted the importance of maintaining and advancing bilateral relations, expressing sympathy for those who suffered during Japan’s colonial rule. He emphasized, “There is a lot of history… it is crucial to build upon the efforts of our predecessors who navigated challenging times and to cooperate for the future.”

Yoon echoed Kishida’s sentiments, advocating for the continuation of the positive momentum achieved through their cooperation. He noted that next year, which marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, could serve as a pivotal point for further advancing their relationship. “There are still challenging issues remaining in Korea-Japan relations. I hope that both sides will continue to work together with a forward-looking attitude,” he stated.

The two leaders also welcomed the signing of an agreement to facilitate the evacuation of their citizens from emergencies occurring in third countries, which Kishida referred to as a symbol of increasing mutual trust. They agreed to work together to simplify immigration procedures for travelers and to ensure that North Korea does not exploit support from Russia to escalate provocations.

Kishida is set to resign this month, and Japan’s ruling party will hold elections on September 27 to elect his successor. He is scheduled to return to Tokyo following a dinner with Yoon.

Looking ahead, Yoon has prioritized repairing ties with Tokyo while enhancing security cooperation with Washington, especially in light of North Korea’s military threats, which previously led to a trilateral summit at Camp David last year. However, with elections approaching in both Japan and the U.S., concerns remain about whether the two nations can sustain their newfound cooperation under new leadership.

Kishida reassured Yoon that the significance of their bilateral relationship would remain intact, regardless of his successor, and he committed to aiding the continuity of their progress even after stepping down, according to Kim Tae-hyo, Yoon’s deputy national security adviser.

U.S. officials express confidence that Kishida’s successor will be equally dedicated to maintaining the momentum of the alliance. “All of these projects we’ve been working on together are going to continue under new leadership,” stated Mira Rapp-Hooper, a senior official at the White House National Security Council.

Both leaders have taken significant political risks to foster improved ties, surpassing efforts made by prior administrations. As a former South Korean deputy foreign minister pointed out, different approaches from U.S. presidential candidates could influence future relations, depending on who takes office next.