Foreign Minister Cho Hyun meets with a delegation of Japanese lawmakers, including Nagashima Akihisa, secretary-general of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun meets with a delegation of Japanese lawmakers, including Nagashima Akihisa, secretary-general of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Wednesday that active communication and cooperation at the political and civil society levels — not just between the two governments — are essential for the future-oriented development of Korea-Japan relations.

Cho made the remarks during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where he received eight Japanese lawmakers, including Nagashima Akihisa, secretary-general of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union. "Korea-Japan relations are not something that can be left entirely to the two governments," Cho said. "Exchanges among leaders of both countries, as well as academics and figures from non-governmental organizations, are also very important."

Cho expressed appreciation for the lawmakers' efforts to improve bilateral ties. "I am grateful that Korean and Japanese lawmakers in particular have worked so hard to improve Korea-Japan relations," he said. "While we say that the two governments — and especially the two foreign ministries — can lead the relationship well, moving it to an even better place requires political leaders on both sides to go one step further on difficult issues, including historical ones."

He urged the two countries to work more closely together amid the current turbulent international environment. "I hope that Korea and Japan can strengthen their relationship, navigate difficult circumstances together and continue to safeguard peace in Northeast Asia," he said.

Nagashima said the delegation had visited Seoul to prepare for a joint general assembly of the Korea-Japan and Japan-Korea parliamentary unions scheduled for December. "The Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union has worked to keep the relationship going whether times were good or difficult," he said.

Nagashima described the current strategic environment surrounding Japan and South Korea as the most challenging of the postwar era. "I think the strategic environment around Japan and Korea is the most difficult it has been since the end of World War II," he said. "Relations between China and Japan in particular are growing increasingly strained, and there have been many daily shocks from developments on the Korean Peninsula — especially regarding North Korea — as well as policy changes under President Donald Trump."

He added that the importance of the Korea-Japan relationship had never been greater. "There has never been a time when the relationship between Japan and Korea in the areas of security, diplomacy, energy and science and technology has mattered more than it does now," Nagashima said. "I am glad to be able to exchange views directly with Minister Cho."


sunpine@heraldcorp.com