[한일 징용해법 합의] Point of contact for the resolution of conscription, behind-the-scenes discussions at the summit Talks about restoring shuttle diplomacy between the leaders…尹-Biden expects Korea-US summit in April Japan considers inviting 尹 to the G7 meeting in May… A series of Korea-US-Japan summits likely to continue
President Yoon Seok-yeol (left) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, prior to a Korea-Japan summit in November last year. Phnom Penh = Photo Reporters in the Presidential Office
It is known that President Yoon Seok-yeol will visit Japan in mid-to-late March and hold a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. As the governments of the two countries have reached a point of contact over the issue of forced labor, which has been the biggest stumbling block in Korea-Japan relations, the meeting between the leaders, which symbolizes the improvement in relations, is being discussed behind the scenes. There is a possibility that Prime Minister Kishida will return as the restoration of ‘shuttle diplomacy’ between the leaders of Korea and Japan in the past is being discussed. At the end of April, President Yoon’s state visit to the United States is expected. If President Yoon attends the G7 summit to be held in Hiroshima, Japan in May, a series of summits will be held between Korea and Japan, Korea and the United States, and Korea and the United States. Improving Korea-Japan relations is a step that expands to strengthening security and economic cooperation among the three countries.
● 尹, consider visiting Japan in mid-to-late March
An official from the presidential office said, “Although the schedule has not been finalized, the plan for President Yoon to visit Japan in mid-to-late March is being discussed internally.” We have a strong will to improve.” There are also observations that a symbolic event could be held to show the scene of the two leaders meeting naturally and discussing a common agenda. It is known that National Security Office Director Kim Seong-han, who departed for the United States on the 5th, will also discuss with the United States the timing and method of the Korea-Japan summit.
Director Kim met with reporters at the departure hall of Incheon International Airport that day and said, “If the pending issues are settled well, various and specific issues are likely to emerge to promote comprehensive relations between the two sides (Korea and Japan) and further develop Korea-US-Japan relations.” It is important for the authorities to meet, but right after the leaders of both sides meet and untie the so-called ‘Gordian knot’ (meaning a trick that solves a complicated problem at once), it seems that there will be a need for a process to quickly deal with pending issues that need to be taken care of,” he explained. .
Prime Minister Kishida of Japan, the chair of this year’s G7 summit, is also considering inviting President Yoon to the summit meeting to be held in Hiroshima on May 19-21. If this happens, the Korea-Japan summit in March → the Korea-US summit in April → the Korea-US-Japan summit in May can be held one after another. The leaders of Korea and Japan, whose exchanges were virtually cut off during the Moon Jae-in administration, are accelerating the improvement of relations amid a change in direction by President Yoon, who said, “Japan is a partner for cooperation.” Following the announcement of a solution to the forced labor issue, the South Korean and Japanese governments are known to have been discussing ways to lift Japan’s export restrictions on South Korea and normalize the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between Korea and Japan.
● “The time and level of my visit to the United States this time”
When President Yoon visits the United States in April with the relationship between Korea and Japan restored, the two countries are expected to expand the level of discussion not only to Korea-US cooperation but also comprehensive cooperation at the ROK-US-Japan level. In November of last year, the leaders of the United States, Japan and the ROK adopted a joint statement in Cambodia to strengthen security cooperation to deter and respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.
The intention of the US, which has emphasized cooperation between Korea, the US and Japan, is also said to have played a role in the background of the South Korean and Japanese governments announcing a solution to the issue of forced labor on the 6th. It is the result of the reflection of the US position, which desperately needs to strengthen cooperation between the US and Japan in order to have a united front against China amid intensifying competition between the US and China. The US is also emphasizing cooperation between South Korea, the US and Japan on the North Korean nuclear issue. A government source said, “As the Biden administration considers Korea-US-Japan economic and security cooperation as a major agenda for the Korea-US summit, which is being discussed at the end of April, the improvement of Korea-Japan relations, which is a’prerequisite’, is a starting point from President Yoon’s 3/1 speech. The process in which the knot began to unravel.”
Regarding President Yoon’s state visit to the United States, Director Kim said on the 5th, “I plan to go (to the United States) this time to conclude the visit regarding the timing and level and level of the visit.” He said, “We plan to discuss specific measures with the White House national security adviser or US diplomatic and security officials.” ”he said.
Reporter Jang-Seok Jang jks@donga.com
