Next week's Seoul-Tokyo summit to open new chapter in relations: vice minister

• Published date: 10 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

A summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, in Tokyo next week will open a new chapter in the two countries' bilateral relationship, First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong said, Friday.

Speaking to foreign media journalists in Seoul, Cho called Japan a partner country that shares universal values, saying South Korea's partnership with "the closest neighbor" in the region is more important today than ever before amid geopolitical uncertainties such as North Korea's military threats.

His remarks come four days after the Yoon administration announced its solution to the wartime forced labor of Japan's colonial era issue by compensating victims through a fund raised by South Korea's public foundation, rather than seeking payment from Japan. The proposal is widely considered a major concession by Seoul, which gave up its previous stance demanding direct compensation from Japanese companies and an apology following the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling on the case in 2018.

"Next week (March 16), there will be a historic exchange between South Korea and Japan," Cho said. "Yoon and his wife's visit to Japan will be meaningful as it is expected to open the window of opportunity for the two countries...