The foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea met in Seoul on Monday to discuss strengthening their ties amid growing regional security challenges and major political turmoil in South Korea.
Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya visited Seoul as the country grapples with the impeachment and possible detention of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who briefly imposed martial law in early December, sparking a political crisis and possibly ending this term. It’s the end.
The visit also came amid concerns about North Korea’s missile testing, its deepening security ties with Russia and China’s efforts to assert its maritime claims in the South and East China Sea.
“The security situation in the region is becoming increasingly serious, and in that strategic environment, the importance of the Japan-ROK [Republic of Korea] “The relationship has not changed, and in fact it has become increasingly important,” Iwaya said at a joint press conference with Cho Tae-yeul.
One week before Trump’s inauguration, trilateral work with the US also in focus
South Korea’s Cho drew particular attention to North Korea’s missile tests and deepening military ties with Russia in his remarks.
North Korea’s last missile test took place when outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on a visit to Seoul last week.
Cho said he and Iwaya had agreed on “the need for continued close coordination between Korea, Japan, and the United States to counter the North Korean nuclear threat.”
The three countries have increased security cooperation in recent years, including sharing information on North Korean missile launches.
However, with the inauguration of Donald Trump as US President next week, the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon and the recent change of government in Japan, none of the leaders who established the three-way security pact at Camp David will be in power in 2023. Not ready to stay. ,
Like most parts of the world, Trump has been seen raising questions about America’s current security relations with its allies in Asia.
Bilateral drive to improve ties will continue ‘under any circumstances’
South Korea’s Cho said that after decades of tension following Japan’s colonial rule, efforts to improve bilateral relations will continue “under any circumstances”, adding that diplomacy “will remain consistent.”
Impeached President Yoon had been pushing for improved relations with Japan and cooperation with the US – but he will now return to office only if the Constitutional Court rules in the ongoing case that he was not validly impeached by Parliament Was imposed.
Japan’s Iwaya also seemed to indicate on Monday a desire to continue bilateral rapprochement. Before the press conference with Cho, he visited the Seoul National Cemetery, which honors Korean veterans, including those who died seeking independence from Japanese colonial rule that ended in 1945.
The visiting foreign minister is scheduled to meet Tuesday with interim President Choi Sang-mok, who is standing in until possible early presidential elections if the impeachment is sustained.
Yoon, currently living in his hometown, has resisted separate attempts by investigators to detain him as part of a criminal investigation into alleged rebellion, when he briefly tried to impose martial law. Was done.
Rebellion is one of the few crimes for which a sitting president of South Korea can be charged.
msh/ab (AFP, Reuters)