Seoul: Acting President Choi Sang-mok and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya have reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation and trilateral collaboration with the United States during a meeting held in Seoul. The meeting comes as part of Iwaya's visit, marking the first by a Japanese minister to South Korea since the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. This diplomatic engagement occurs less than a week before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump assumes office for his second term.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the talks emphasized the importance of cooperation amidst the current complex international landscape. Both sides acknowledged that the collaboration between South Korea, Japan, and the United States is more crucial than ever. The finance ministry released a statement highlighting the consensus on further strengthening bilateral ties as the nations approach the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic normalization.
The meeting also took place against a backdrop of political instability in Seoul, following Yoon's recent imposition of a brief martial law and ongoing disputes regarding his potential arrest for insurrection. Despite these challenges, Choi and Iwaya agreed on the necessity of steadfast collaboration to bolster bilateral relations.
Furthermore, both parties recognized the importance of maintaining strong economic ties, especially amid increasing global trade uncertainties. These concerns are expected to intensify with the anticipated protectionist policies of the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Trump.