South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon sat down in Tokyo this morning with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the two agreed on the need to do something to improve their countries ties, which have been badly strained for months over trade and historical issues.
Our Kim Mok-yeon has this story.
South Korea and Japan agreed on the need for a breakthrough in the current stalled relations between the two countries on Thursday.
Seoul's first vice foreign minister Cho Sei-young, who took part in the closed-door meeting, said that South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon expressed Seoul's willingness to mend ties with Tokyo, and so did the Japanese Prime Minister.
"The prime ministers of the two nations agreed that they cannot leave the current strained ties unaddressed as they are important neighbors."
Lee also delivered a personal letter written by President Moon Jae-in which included a congratulatory message over Japanese Emperor Naruhito's enthronement and need to work together to address issues of conflict.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his gratitude and agreed to facilitate dialogue at various levels, including discussions on North Korea.
"The two Prime Ministers also agreed on the importance of seeking bilateral cooperation and trilateral coordination involving the United States to tackle North Korea's nuclear issue"
During the talks, which lasted for 20 minutes, Prime Minister Abe also stressed that the two Asian neighbors should stay faithful to their 1965 treaty which Tokyo claims has normalized ties and settled all issues of compensation for victims of colonial rule.
Lee said that Seoul has been respecting the treaty just as Tokyo did and will continue to do so, expressing hopes that the two sides can continue to overcome their differences.
However, regarding the possibility of a Moon-Abe summit, the first vice foreign minister said that such specific discussions were not included during the talks, but did not rule out the possibility of such a summit.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.
Our Kim Mok-yeon has this story.
South Korea and Japan agreed on the need for a breakthrough in the current stalled relations between the two countries on Thursday.
Seoul's first vice foreign minister Cho Sei-young, who took part in the closed-door meeting, said that South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon expressed Seoul's willingness to mend ties with Tokyo, and so did the Japanese Prime Minister.
"The prime ministers of the two nations agreed that they cannot leave the current strained ties unaddressed as they are important neighbors."
Lee also delivered a personal letter written by President Moon Jae-in which included a congratulatory message over Japanese Emperor Naruhito's enthronement and need to work together to address issues of conflict.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his gratitude and agreed to facilitate dialogue at various levels, including discussions on North Korea.
"The two Prime Ministers also agreed on the importance of seeking bilateral cooperation and trilateral coordination involving the United States to tackle North Korea's nuclear issue"
During the talks, which lasted for 20 minutes, Prime Minister Abe also stressed that the two Asian neighbors should stay faithful to their 1965 treaty which Tokyo claims has normalized ties and settled all issues of compensation for victims of colonial rule.
Lee said that Seoul has been respecting the treaty just as Tokyo did and will continue to do so, expressing hopes that the two sides can continue to overcome their differences.
However, regarding the possibility of a Moon-Abe summit, the first vice foreign minister said that such specific discussions were not included during the talks, but did not rule out the possibility of such a summit.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.
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