Japan: Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Fumio Kishida visited the South Korean capital, Seoul, to meet President Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol, with both leaders seeking to improve relations in the face of nuclear threats from North Korea.

It marks the first bilateral visit by a Japanese leader to Seoul in 12 years, following President Yoon’s trip to Tokyo in March 2023, where they aimed to settle historical disputes that have been a major point of contention between the two countries.

“I hope to have an open-hearted exchange of views with President Yoon based on our relationship of trust. Since March, there have been various levels of communication in areas including finance and defence, and I plan to further develop this ongoing trend,” Mr. Kishida told reporters before his departure to Seoul.

South Korean and Japanese officials stated that Mr. Yoon and Mr. Kishida will discuss North Korea’s nuclear program, South Korean-Japanese economic security and overall relations, and other unspecified international issues.

South Korean officials are optimistic that Fumio Kishida will make a gesture in response to concessions made by President Yoon’s government regarding the long-standing dispute over forced labour during Japan’s colonisation of the Korean Peninsula.

The dispute escalated in 2018 when South Korean courts ordered two Japanese companies to compensate some of their ageing former Korean employees for forced labour, prompting the two countries to impose tit-for-tat economic retaliatory measures.

The move has triggered a strong backlash from some of the victims as well as criticism that Yoon has given more than he has received in his efforts to mend relations with Japan, but few observers expect any further formal apology from Tokyo for historical wrongs.

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