Japan's premier arrives in South Korea on landmark 2-day visit

By Anadolu Staff

ANKARA (AA) — Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Seoul on Sunday for a two-day landmark visit, the first by a Japanese leader in over five years, as the two countries seek to improve ties amid growing security threats in East Asia.

The premier's trip is also the first bilateral visit by a Japanese leader in 12 years, marking the resumption of "shuttle diplomacy," or regular mutual visits, as agreed between Kishida and South Korean President Yoon during their summit in Tokyo this March, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

Soon after his arrival, Kishida headed to the Seoul National Cemetery and paid his respects to Korea's fallen independence fighters and war veterans.

Later in the day, he is scheduled to hold a meeting with Yoon at the presidential office, aside from a joint news conference, and then have dinner with Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee at the official presidential residence, the news agency reported, citing diplomatic sources.

During their summit, the two leaders are likely to agree on deepening security relations between Tokyo and Seoul to address North Korea's missile and nuclear development, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported.

Bilateral ties reached their lowest point in decades under the left-wing administration of Yoon's predecessor, Moon Jae In, over a slew of wartime issues, including a labor compensation dispute.

But bilateral relations have warmed significantly following Seoul's decision in March to compensate Korean victims of Japanese wartime forced labor without contributions from Japanese firms.

Kishida, who is scheduled to host a G-7 summit in Hiroshima later this month, has also been eager to reconcile with South Korea, as the United States, their close ally, has grown more wary of the security situation in Asia, according to the Kyodo news agency.

"I would like to frankly exchange views based on trust" with Yoon on various topics, including issues surrounding wartime labor disputes, Kishida told reporters before leaving for Seoul along with his wife on Sunday morning.

"We will continue making efforts to develop these trends," he added.

The Japanese premier may convey to Yoon Tokyo's commitment to upholding and maintaining previous government statements that expressed remorse over Japan's wartime aggression in Asia, Kyodo reported.

In February 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, later slain by an assassin, was the last Japanese premier to visit South Korea to attend the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.