Seoul: First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo met with Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Mizushima on Friday, where both officials agreed to continue efforts to maintain and advance the positive momentum in bilateral relations, according to the foreign ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this meeting marked the first since Park assumed office in mid-June, amidst a period where South Korea and Japan are working to sustain the improving relations under South Korea's new Lee Jae Myung government. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to fostering these ties.
During the discussions, Park highlighted the "positive flow" in the bilateral relations observed since the Lee government's inception, which has been demonstrated through active exchanges between the leaders of both countries. He emphasized the importance of closer communication to further strengthen these relations.
Park also pointed out the necessity of developing a "sturdier and more mature" relationship, particularly in the context of fortifying the trilateral partnership with the United States, a mutual ally of both nations.
Ambassador Mizushima expressed his commitment to elevating the bilateral relationship to a new level. He referred to the recent successful commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan, indicating the embassy's dedication to this cause.