Kishida Aims to Strengthen Ties with South Korea During Final Visit

SEOUL, Sept. 6 — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has arrived in Seoul for a crucial meeting aimed at strengthening ties between Japan and South Korea before he steps down from his role later this month. This visit marks his twelfth and final summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Relations between Japan and South Korea had recently improved significantly after years of tension, particularly over wartime issues, including compensation for victims of forced labor during Japan’s colonial rule. Kishida acknowledged the positive transformation in relations, stating on social media, “When I became Prime Minister, our relationship with the ROK was in a very difficult situation, but thanks to the decision of President Yoon and myself, we were able to achieve a historic improvement in Japan-ROK relations.”

The resumption of what was termed “shuttle diplomacy” was largely credited to Yoon’s visit to Tokyo in 2023, which was the first by a South Korean leader in twelve years for a bilateral summit. This marked a significant step in mending ties between the two nations.

However, relations had severely deteriorated in 2018 when a Korean court ruled that two Japanese companies were obligated to compensate forced labor victims. This decision led to heightened tensions and a series of trade restrictions between the countries.

In a bid to rectify these issues, the Yoon administration proposed a plan last year to resolve the compensation dispute by utilizing South Korean public funds to pay the victims. Both Japan and South Korea have since sought to lift restrictive trade measures that had developed in the aftermath of the 2018 court ruling.

In addition to improving bilateral relations, Seoul and Tokyo have enhanced their collaboration with the United States, especially in terms of security. Following an invitation from U.S. President Joe Biden, both leaders attended a trilateral summit at Camp David in August of the previous year. This meeting underscored their commitment to jointly address security threats posed by North Korea and other regional concerns.

Kishida emphasized the importance of cooperation between Japan and South Korea, stating, “Cooperation with the Republic of Korea is indispensable for the peace and stability of the region.” As global tensions heighten, he highlighted the necessity of continuing to foster this relationship for regional stability and prosperity.

Last month, Kishida announced his decision to resign amid allegations involving a slush-fund scandal linked to his Liberal Democratic Party. Elections are scheduled for September 27 to determine his successor.

Despite the impending changes in leadership, South Korea’s President Yoon expressed confidence that the improved relations and trilateral cooperation with the U.S. would persist. “The South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation framework is very important not only to the Indo-Pacific but also the global economy and security, benefiting all three nations,” Yoon asserted in a recent press conference. He assured that leadership changes would not disrupt this essential diplomatic framework.

Kishida is expected to return to Tokyo on Saturday after this significant summit with President Yoon.