Japan To Send Fm Hayashi To S.korea Presidential Inauguration
The Japanese government announced on Friday that it will send Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa to the upcoming inauguration of South Korea's President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol.
The government said Hayashi will attend the ceremony to be held in Seoul next Tuesday as a special envoy of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
Arrangements are being made for Hayashi to stay in South Korea on Monday and Tuesday and have talks with Yoon and other leaders of his new administration.
Hayashi told reporters that cooperation between Japan and South Korea as well as ties between the two and the United States are essential to address the threat posed by North Korea and maintain regional stability.
Hayashi said bilateral relations with South Korea remain particularly strained due to issues including wartime labor and those referred to as comfort women, but they should not be left unattended.
He stressed that abiding by promises between countries is a foundation of international relations.
He said the Japanese government will seek to restore healthy ties with Seoul. He also said Japan intends to closely communicate with Yoon and his new government while taking a consistence stance.