Hours before the summit began, South Korea’s Trade Minister Lee Chang-yang said that Japan had agreed to lift export controls on South Korea after talks this week, and that South Korea would be able to compete in world trade after the sanctions were lifted. Will withdraw his complaint from the organization.
Japan and South Korea have long-standing disputes over Japanese colonization of the Korean Peninsula in 1910–1945 and atrocities during World War II, including the forced prostitution of “comfort women” to Japanese soldiers, and over a group of islands Territorial disputes were involved. Relations reached a nadir when the South Korean Supreme Court ordered Japanese companies to compensate Korean victims or bereaved relatives in 2018, and Japan imposed trade sanctions on South Korea shortly after.
The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said that Japan accepted South Korea’s reform of export controls during the talks, and as a result of Seoul’s decision to drop the WTO case, Japan agreed to lift sanctions against South Korea and restore the country. decided to reinstate the position. It was before July 2019.
Li’s ministry said the countries would continue to discuss restoring preferred trade status to each other. According to Kishida, the two countries also agreed to start regular dialogue on economic security.
The summit comes as a series of dramatic events unfolds in what Kishida called a “serious security environment”.
Washington would welcome better Japan-South Korea ties, as the tussle over historical issues has weakened US pressure to strengthen its alliances in Asia. The three countries began joint anti-submarine warfare exercises on Thursday, in which Canada and India joined.
A North Korean missile launch early Thursday, just before Yun leaves for Tokyo, could add momentum for him and Kishida to move their countries closer diplomatically. The intercontinental ballistic missile was launched on a steep trajectory to avoid the territory of other countries and fell into the open waters off Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. Most likely it was intended to send a message about both the summit and the joint military exercise.
China’s dispute with Japan over small islands in the East China Sea also heated up on Thursday as both sides accused the other of violating their territorial waters. The summit follows a series of Chinese diplomatic breakthroughs in areas traditionally more affected by the US than Honduras, which announced on Wednesday that it would end diplomatic recognition of Taiwan in favor of China, the island governed autonomously by Beijing. Saudi Arabia and Iran last week announced a surprise deal to resume diplomatic ties brokered by China.
According to Kishida’s office, Kishida and Yoon are to hold dinner and informal talks after the summit. Media reports said Kishida would host a two-part dinner: “sukiyaki” beef stew in one restaurant, then “omu-rice” or rice with omelet – reportedly Yoon’s favorite dish – in another.
