Relations have been strained for years due to the bitter legacy of Japan’s occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945. The disputes range over issues from wartime forced labor to export controls, but the two nations expressed their desire to improve their relations.
For his first trip to the Japanese capital since Yoon took office in May, Park is due to meet his counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, later on Monday.
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Park said he would tell the Japanese side that Yoon had a strong will to improve relations between South Korea and Japan, according to a TV broadcast.
The United States, which has separate alliances with the two countries, has been pressuring South Korea and Japan for closer ties to ensure better cooperation on issues such as North Korea and China. China.
South Korean officials hope the high-level visit will kick-start talks aimed at achieving a breakthrough in the disputes, despite concerns that the death of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe could shift Japan’s political priorities.
The trip aims to “open the tap” for serious discussions on forced labor issues, which had stalled under Yoon’s predecessor, a senior Japanese policy official told Reuters last week.
Japanese officials also say it is important to improve ties, but they expect proposals from Soul to resolve disputes such as South Korean court orders to seize the assets of Japanese companies accused of failing to compensate certain colonial workers.
South Korea’s Supreme Court is expected to make a final decision on liquidating the assets in August or September, and Tokyo has warned of serious repercussions if the orders are carried out.
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