S.korean Delegation, Japanese Lawmakers Agree To Work For Better Relations
A delegation sent by South Korea's President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol met with senior members of the Japan-South Korea parliamentarians' union in Tokyo on Monday. They agreed to work together to improve relations between the two countries.
The delegation led by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Jin-suk met with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Nukaga Fukushiro, a former finance minister who heads the union. Former education minister Nakagawa Masaharu of the Constitutional Democratic Party also attended the meeting.
The delegation stressed that Yoon's diplomatic principle toward Japan is to improve bilateral ties, which are said to be at their worst.
They said Yoon aims to return relations to around the time of the 1998 Japan-South Korea joint declaration, which called for building a future-oriented relationship.
The two sides also agreed that stronger cooperation among the two countries and the United States will be essential for dealing with North Korea's nuclear and missile development.
Nukaga told reporters that the two sides had exchanged candid opinions. He said Yoon has given a positive message and he hopes that Monday's meeting will be a step toward improving relations.
The delegation later met with former LDP Secretary-General Nikai Toshihiro. Nikai called on South Korea to take appropriate action on the issues of wartime labor and people referred to as wartime comfort women.
The delegation reportedly said that the incoming South Korean administration is prepared to steadily address the issue.