Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Tuesday that he will travel to South Korea to meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was in Tokyo in March, as the two countries seek to strengthen ties ahead of the Group of Nations summit.Â
Japan and South Korea tried to mend relations that had been soured by disputes over Japanese conduct during World War II. Now they are trying to forge tripartite cooperation with the United States in response to threats from China and North Korea.
Speaking to reporters in Ghana on Tuesday as part of a tour of Africa and Singapore, Kishida announced plans to travel to South Korea on May 7-8 to brainstorm with Yoon on how to strengthen ties and address regional issues and international.
“If my visit to South Korea is realized before the G-7 summit, I predict that it will be a great opportunity for our diplomacy and to have a frank exchange of ideas on strengthening relations and on the need to change the situation dramatically,” said Kishida, who will host the G7 summit in Hiroshima.
A few hours later, both governments confirmed Kishida’s trip to Seoul.
Yoon’s office said Kishida will make a “working visit” to South Korea with his wife Yuko Kishida, following the invitation of the South Korean president when he went to Tokyo in March. Kishida’s office said talks between the two leaders are scheduled for Sunday.
It will be the first time a Japanese prime minister has visited South Korea since Shinzo Abe attended the Pyeongchang Olympics in February 2018. The two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation and how to respond to the North Korean regime’s missile and nuclear development.
