ISLAMABAD: The leaders of South Korea and Japan were happy as they agreed to close a century of difficult history and work together to counter security challenges in the region.
The Tokyo summit between Japan’s Fumio Kishida and South Korea’s Yoon Suk-yeol – in the first trip to Japan by a South Korean president in twelve years – underscored how the two US allies have come closer due to North Korea’s frequent missile tests and growing concerns over China’s more assertive behaviour on the international stage.
Just hours before the South Korean leader arrived in Tokyo, North test-fired a banned intercontinental ballistic missile, the latest in a series of tests over the past week.
The two leaders dined and agreed on some contentious issues, agreeing to restart regular bilateral visits and revive the security dialogue suspended in 2018. Yoon vowed the complete normalisation of an intelligence-sharing agreement, titled as GSOMIA, which Seoul had threatened to end in 2019. They also announced to end an almost 4-year trade dispute over some materials used for semiconductors.
Japan-South Korea relations stressed
During a joint press talk, Kishida told journalists that strengthening bilateral relations in the current strategic environment is vital. He hoped that the visit would nurture friendship and trust and considerably elevate ties.
Yoon highlighted the serious threat posed to international security and peace by Pyangyong’s missile tests.
On his part, Yoon said that today’s meeting with Kishida is very important for the people of two countries to know the importance of mutual relations.
He stressed that both countries must cooperate in solidarity to skillfully deal with regional threats.
