Korean gov’t congratulates election of new Japanese prime minister

The Korean government congratulated Shigeru Ishiba on his election as Japan's new prime minister on Tuesday and relayed its expectations to continue to advance bilateral relations in all areas.

Newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks in his inaugural press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo Tuesday. [AP/YONHAP]

The Korean government congratulated Shigeru Ishiba on his election as Japan's new prime minister on Tuesday and relayed its expectations to continue to advance bilateral relations in all areas.

Ishiba, a former defense minister, was elected as the new prime minister by the Japanese parliament, replacing Fumio Kishida.

Seoul's Foreign Ministry in a statement Tuesday offered its congratulations for Ishiba's election and the launching of Japan's new cabinet.

"Our government will communicate closely with the new Prime Minister Ishiba and his new cabinet and work with the Japanese government to create an advanced, future-oriented cooperative relationship in all areas, including security, economy and global agenda," the ministry said through a spokesperson's commentary.

"As partners who share universal values and neighbors who must contribute to world peace and prosperity, we have been cooperating in a wide range of fields based on the solid trust between our leaders, including through the recently active shuttle diplomacy," the ministry added.

When asked about diplomacy plans in his inaugural press conference, Ishiba replied, "Bilateral relations are important not only with the United States, but also with South Korea and Australia."

He added, "However, when engaging in summit diplomacy, the purpose must be clear."

Ishiba likewise noted that “different countries have different national interests,” and added that “what is important is how seriously each side discusses them” and “what results will be achieved.” Such remarks could indicate he will favor pursuing diplomacy based on Japan’s national interest, rather than personal or political beliefs.

Ishiba also expressed his determination to resolve the issue of abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, calling it a top priority for his administration.

"The issue of North Korean abduction victims is the most important task for our cabinet," Ishiba said, pledging to "tackle it with strong determination."

Former Prime Minister Kishida also emphasized resolving the abduction issue and had pushed for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un through high-level channels, which did not come about.

Ishiba previously pledged to open liaison offices in Pyongyang and Tokyo to resolve the abduction issue.

Last Friday, Ishiba, a non-mainstream figure known for his dovish stance on bilateral issues with Korea, was elected as the new head of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) after five attempts, setting him up to become the next prime minister.

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands during their bilateral summit in Seoul on Sept. 6. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Seoul has been paying attention to the inauguration of a new Japanese leadership and what impact it would have on bilateral relations, which deteriorated in recent years due to historical disputes and a trade spat.

Last month, Kishida, who has worked to restore normalized bilateral ties with Seoul through a relay of summits with President Yoon Suk Yeol since last year, announced that he would not run for re-election after a series of political scandals hit the LDP.

Ishiba has criticized the hawkish Shinzo Abe administration's more regressive policies and encouraged Japan to face history more responsibly. He also didn't visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines 14 Class A war criminals from World War II, differing from hard-liners in the LDP.

Ishiba's newly launched cabinet Tuesday includes Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, known to be close with Kishida, and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, known to share similar views with Ishiba on national security and defense affairs. They have both served as defense ministers. Likewise, several of his close aides also include people well-versed in defense matters.

Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, front center, poses with members of his cabinet at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday. [AFP/YONHAP]

Some 12 of the 19-member cabinet are considered non-mainstream figures like Ishiba, in a turn away from the heavyweight faction supportive of late Prime Minister Abe's policies. Ishiba likewise retained Kishida's close confidant, Yoshimasa Hayashi, as chief cabinet secretary.

Thus, Ishiba is expected by analysts to carry on Kishida's foreign policies, including closer economic and security ties with Seoul and trilateral cooperation with Washington.

However, as a proponent of strong defense, Ishiba is likely to advocate a push for the amendment of its pacifist postwar Constitutional amendment, a sensitive issue for neighboring countries like Korea who recall Japan's imperialist past.

Running for the LDP election, Ishiba said he aims to build an Asian-style NATO centered on Japan's alliance with the United States and other partner countries, including South Korea, to better deter China, Russia and North Korea.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]