South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had his first conversation since taking office with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba today (2nd), both agreeing on the necessity to collaborate with the United States in countering the threats posed by North Korea.
Last week, South Korea expressed its welcome to Ishiba on being elected as the leader of Japan’s ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party, and hoped that under his leadership, the relationship between Japan and South Korea would continue to improve, with both countries working together on security and economic issues.
Yoon Suk Yeol’s office stated that during the phone call, he told Ishiba that South Korea and Japan are important partners with shared values and interests. He invited Ishiba to maintain close communication and enhance cooperation between the two countries.
“The leaders of both countries agree that South Korea, Japan, and the United States need to stand united to address North Korea’s recurrent provocations,” Yoon Suk Yeol’s office pointed out.
Ishiba was nominated as the Prime Minister by both houses of the parliament on the 1st, and he promised to establish closer relations with friendly countries to counter the most severe security threats that Japan has faced since World War II.
Improving relations between Japan and South Korea during Yoon Suk Yeol’s term and establishing trilateral security cooperation with the United States are seen as diplomatic priorities, setting aside historical animosities stemming from Japan’s actions during World War II.
Both Yoon Suk Yeol’s office and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the leaders of the two countries agreed to meet soon.