Yoon holds first phone call with Japan’s new prime minister

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Yoon holds first phone call with Japan’s new prime minister

Published: 02 Oct. 2024, 17:12 Updated: 02 Oct. 2024, 17:46

SARAH KIM
kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr

President Yoon Suk Yeol holds his first phone call with Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, at the Yongsan presidential office in Seoul on Wednesday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol held a 15-minute phone call with Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, on Wednesday, congratulating him on his inauguration, the presidential office said.

Yoon said that Korea and Japan are “important neighbors and partners who share values and interests,” promising that the two countries’ leaders will continue to communicate closely and enhance cooperation.

On Tuesday, Ishiba, a former defense minister, was elected prime minister by Japan’s parliament, replacing Fumio Kishida.

Ishiba said he was grateful for Yoon’s letter of congratulations that he received yesterday, according to the office, and that he highly regarded Yoon’s leadership in efforts to advance the relationship between the two countries. He also expressed hope for closer communication and solidarity in the future.

In their first phone conversation, the two leaders also agreed that next year, which marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic relations, will be a good opportunity to take Korea-Japan relations to the next level. They agreed to work together to continue yielding tangible results for both countries’ peoples.

They stressed that Seoul, Tokyo and Washington need to unite to respond to Pyongyang’s continued provocations.

They further agreed to continue to cooperate on North Korean human rights, including resolving the issue of Japanese abduction victims and South Korean prisoners of war.

The presidential office added that Yoon and Ishiba agreed to continue shuttle diplomacy revived last year under the Kishida government and to meet as soon as possible to “candidly exchange opinions on issues of mutual interest."

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."

Ishiba also stressed that his administration would prioritize resolving the issue of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

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