South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin met with Akihisa Nagashima, secretary-general of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary Union, and other Japanese lawmakers visiting South Korea on August 26, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Park assessed that shuttle diplomacy between South Korea and Japan has been fully restored since the government took office, leading to active exchanges based on mutual trust between the leaders of both countries.
He emphasized the increasing importance of close cooperation between South Korea and Japan amid serious international circumstances, expressing hope for enhanced collaboration to ensure peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
Park also highlighted the crucial role of political leaders in advancing historical issues to further develop South Korea-Japan relations, urging Japanese lawmakers to take an interest and play a role in this matter.
In his opening remarks, Nagashima stated, "I believe the strategic environment surrounding Japan and South Korea is the most challenging since the end of the war," noting that relations with China are becoming increasingly difficult.
He added, "Due to the relationship with the Korean Peninsula, especially North Korea, and the policy changes under President Trump, we have faced many shocks daily," stressing that there has never been a more critical time for Japan-South Korea relations in areas such as security, diplomacy, energy, and science and technology.
Nagashima assessed that the relationship between the two countries is developing steadily based on trust between their leaders and pledged to actively pursue parliamentary efforts to deepen cooperation in various fields amid the current international situation.
Members of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary Union, known for their pro-South Korea stance, visited South Korea to attend a joint meeting with the Korea-Japan Parliamentary Union.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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