1. First Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Kim Kyou-hyun met with Japan’s incoming Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Akitaka Saiki on July 11 and exchanged views on the ROK-Japan relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

2. The two Vice Ministers noted the first ROK-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held between Minister Yun Byung-se and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Brunei on July 1 and shared the view that following the Meeting, the two countries’ diplomatic authorities need to closely cooperate in exploring the direction of stable development of the ROK-Japan relations.

o Vice Minister Kim stated that the ROK government places importance on the ROK-Japan relations and emphasized that what is most important for a stable development of bilateral relations is that first of all, Japan sincerely responds to outstanding historical issues and the two countries restore mutual trust. Vice Minister Saiki reaffirmed that the Abe administration continues to uphold the historical views of past administrations. Vice Minister Saiki added that Japan also attaches great importance to its relations with the ROK, a neighbor that shares values and institutions and that Japan will continue to make efforts for the enhancement of bilateral relations.

3. The two Vice Ministers had a shared view that close coordination on North Korea between the ROK and Japan and among the ROK, the US and Japan is crucial to effectively deal with elements of security threats on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, including North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

4. Vice Minister Kim explained that the ROK government seeks to implement “trustpolitik” on the Korean Peninsula through the “trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula” and in Northeast Asia through the “Northeast Asia peace and cooperation initiative.” He stressed that to that end, cooperation between countries in the region is important. The two Vice Ministers agreed to hold close consultations regarding the issue. 


                 Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation