Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reiterated on the 18th that he thought Korea should come up with a solution to the conflict between Korea and Japan.
Prime Minister Suga diagnosed the relationship between Korea and Japan, saying, “The relationship between the two countries is in a very severe situation at the moment” in a speech on the municipal policy with the opening of the regular parliamentary meeting in Japan. Based on the foundation, I will strongly demand an appropriate response from the Korean side.”
It can be interpreted that Prime Minister Suga made such a statement with in mind the ruling on the issue of conscription during the Japanese colonial rule in 2018, the subsequent judicial proceedings, and the suit for alimony for victims of comfort women in the Japanese military, which was recently sentenced to the first trial.
Although they did not directly criticize these rulings, such as “violation of international law,” they showed that the ROK side had to come up with a plan to restore relations between the two countries, and passed responsibility to Korea.
There is no change in the Japanese government’s existing position that all related issues have been resolved, such as the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Agreement or the 2015 Korea-Japan Foreign Minister’s Agreement on the comfort women issue of the Japanese military.
Prime Minister Suga said in his speech that day, “Korea is an important neighbor.”
In a speech addressed to the National Assembly in October last year, “Korea is a very important neighbor,” but it seems that the expression was changed in consciousness of the recent ruling on the comfort women issue of the Japanese military.
Prime Minister Suga cited the first issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea as the diplomatic task of neighboring countries.
He said, “On the issue of kidnapping, which is the most important task of the regime, I myself will take the lead and do my best by working closely with related countries including the United States.”
“There is no change in the resolution to face directly with Chairman Kim Jong-un without conditions, and based on the Japan-Japan Pyongyang Declaration (North Korea-Japan Pyongyang Declaration), we aim to comprehensively solve various issues of abduction, nuclear weapons, and missiles, and settle the unfortunate past to normalize diplomatic relations I do”
Suga said to China, “Stable Japan-China relations are important not only for the two countries, but also for the local and international community. There are a number of issues in both countries, but while taking advantage of high-level (conversation) opportunities, they argue and take concrete action. I will strongly demand. In the meantime, I will cooperate to solve many common tasks.”
Russo-Japanese diplomacy cited negotiations on four Kuril islands (Japanese territory in the northern territory) and the conclusion of a peace treaty between Russia and Japan.
As Suga has repeatedly mentioned, the US-Japan alliance is the basis of Japan’s “diplomacy and security, and the foundation of freedom, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the international community.” “I will meet with the Japanese and the United States to strengthen the unity.”
(yunhap news)