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Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida hold a Korea-Japan foreign ministers’ meeting in Tokyo on June 21.


Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed to set 2015 as the very first year in which the two countries will begin to open a new chapter in their relationship, marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of modern diplomatic ties.

At the Korea-Japan foreign ministers’ meeting in Tokyo on June 21, the two foreign ministers welcomed the active dialogue and cooperation that has been taking place across various sectors between the two countries, such as ministerial-level meetings covering the economy, trade and defense. They also agreed that the participation of the leaders of the two countries in a ceremony scheduled for June 22 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties also reflects their strong will to improve bilateral ties.

Minister Yun said that both countries need to solve the pending issues between them in order to achieve an advancement in the virtuous circle of their bilateral relationship. These pending issues include the so-called "comfort women" who were abducted and forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II, Japan’s attempt to enlist one of its modern abandoned industrial sites as a UNESCO’s World Heritage site and the statement to be made by the Japanese prime minister to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Minister Yun expressed his hope that the whole Japanese cabinet would recognize the facts of history and that this would be reflected in the upcoming statement to be made by the prime minister.

In regard to Japan’s application that one of its modern industrial heritage sites be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the two ministers agreed to cooperate so that the application can be discussed through amicable dialogue,

In regard to Japan's attempt to set up its defense and security policies, Minister Yun emphasized Korea’s existing stance on the issue, that Japan should adhere to the spirit of its peaceful constitution and that the policy-making process should be transparent.

Minister Kishida responded by saying that Japan will carry out its defense and security policies while maintaining transparency, respecting the sovereign rights of third countries and according to international law.

Both ministers expressed their serious concern over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. They agreed to closely cooperate with each other and with the U.S. in order to make substantial progress toward the goal of denuclearizing North Korea. In this regard, they decided to consider hosting a trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting among Korea, Japan and the U.S. at an appropriate time.

Foreign Minister Kishida hailed the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Vision which the Korean government has been pushing forward in order to boost mutual trust among the countries in the region and to pursue multilateral cooperation. He added that in the future Japan will closely cooperate with Korea on these goals.


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Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se (left) and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida attend a celebratory reception to mark the 50th anniversary of Korea-Japan modern diplomatic ties in Tokyo on June 21.


By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
arete@korea.kr