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| First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong speaks during a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club inside the Press Center in central Seoul, Friday. Yonhap |
By Jung Min-ho
A summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, in Tokyo next week will open a new chapter in the two countries' bilateral relationship, First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong said, Friday.
Speaking to foreign media journalists in Seoul, Cho called Japan a partner country that shares universal values, saying South Korea's partnership with "the closest neighbor" in the region is more important today than ever before amid geopolitical uncertainties such as North Korea's military threats.
His remarks come four days after the Yoon administration announced its solution to the wartime forced labor of Japan's colonial era issue by compensating victims through a fund raised by South Korea's public foundation, rather than seeking payment from Japan. The proposal is widely considered a major concession by Seoul, which gave up its previous stance demanding direct compensation from Japanese companies and an apology following the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling on the case in 2018.
"Next week (March 16), there will be a historic exchange between South Korea and Japan," Cho said. "Yoon and his wife's visit to Japan will be meaningful as it is expected to open the window of opportunity for the two countries to take steps into the future after overcoming conflict and hostility … We will step up our efforts to continue to build this momentum of improving relations in order to expand it to the economy, security, culture and other areas."
The proposal has been welcomed by Tokyo and Washington among other governments. U.S. President Joe Biden said it is a "critical step to forge a future for the Korean and Japanese people that is safer, more secure and more prosperous."
Yet victims of wartime slave labor and their families have refused to accept it, with liberal politicians calling it a "humiliating" concession.
Apparently aware of the divided voices, Cho said the government would continue to listen to the victims and critics as the officials implement each step of the process.
"We have been trying to explain it to the victims and each member of their families since we announced the plan," he said. "Given that the Japanese government said it had no objection to Japanese companies' voluntary contribution, we look forward to seeing the participation of business people in both countries."
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