Yoon, Kishida reaffirm commitment to strengthening cooperation

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held their 12th summit meeting Friday afternoon.

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands during their summit in Seoul on Friday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held their 12th summit meeting Friday afternoon, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two neighboring nations regardless of Japan's upcoming leadership change.

"Our two nations have seen a marked improvement in relations based on our strong mutual trust," Yoon said during the summit at the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul on Friday. "The outcomes achieved with Prime Minister Kishida are among the most meaningful since I took office in May 2022."

Yoon also emphasized the restoration of government consultation bodies in various fields, such as economy and security, and the ongoing active communication between the two nations.

"As we approach the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties next year, we will be able to achieve a milestone to elevate Korea-Japan relations to new heights," Yoon said. "To further advance cooperation among Korea, Japan and the United States, it is vital to maintain the positive momentum that Kishida and I have established."

Kishida echoed the sentiment, affirming Japan's commitment to strengthening ties.

"Looking ahead to the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization next year, we aim to continue enhancing cooperation and exchanges between our two countries," he said. Kishida also expressed "hope for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," referencing the Aug. 15 Unification Doctrine.

The summit discussed various ideas for cooperation aimed at improving the daily lives of citizens in both countries, according to Korea's presidential office.

The two signed an agreement on cooperation of protecting Korean and Japanese nationals in third countries. This agreement formalizes cooperation between Korea and Japan in assisting their nationals during emergencies in third countries. It also covers information sharing on crisis management, exercises and peacetime training.

"This memorandum is based on the successful cooperation between Korea and Japan during the evacuation of Korean and Japanese nationals during the coup in Sudan in April 2023 and the Hamas-Israel conflict in October," Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said during a briefing following the summit.

The two countries also discussed plans to implement a "pre-entry screening" system at airports to promote human exchanges. This system would allow travelers to complete immigration checks at their home airports before departing for each other's countries.

A presidential office official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Japan's Ministry of Justice had already begun practical reviews of the system.

"We are preparing to engage in discussions with Japan on this matter," the official added.

Korea recently received 19 documents from Japan, including a passenger list for the Ukishima Maru, a ship that mysteriously exploded while repatriating Korean forced laborers from Japan right after the end of World War II.

"Although not directly linked to Kishida's visit, this is a result of several months of negotiations with the Japanese government to obtain the passenger list," Kim said.

Since Yoon's inauguration in May 2022, the two leaders have been actively working to restore relations between their countries. Friday's summit, held under the framework of "shuttle diplomacy," marked the 12th bilateral meeting between the two leaders and the third Korea-Japan summit this year.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]