Tokyo: Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has been considering visiting South Korea in early September, a Japanese newspaper reported Friday, citing government sources. If confirmed, it will mark the first official trip to South Korea by a Japanese defense minister since 2015.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Nakatani held virtual talks on Thursday, during which the Japanese minister expressed his intention to visit Seoul. This information was reported by Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, citing multiple government sources.
During the virtual talks, the two ministers agreed to continue with their bilateral security cooperation, as well as trilateral cooperation involving the United States. This agreement underscores the ongoing commitment to strengthen regional security ties amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Nakatani had initially planned to visit Seoul in December last year, but the trip was canceled following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid. The potential visit in September signifies a renewed effort to engage in direct diplomatic dialogue between the two neighboring nations.