Shinzo Abe and Moon Jae-in meet for first time since Japan-Korea wartime labour row

Leaders of Japan and South Korea meet for first time since September 2018 on the sidelines of the Asean summit in Bangkok

The two countries have been in a deepening political and trade row since a court case demanding Tokyo compensate victims of forced wartime labour

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in meet on the sidelines of the Asean summit in Bangkok. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:01pm, 4 Nov 2019Updated: 10:11pm, 4 Nov 2019

South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in on Monday suggested to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that the two countries take part in high-level talks to resolve a deepening political and trade row.

The two leaders held an 11-minute discussion on the sidelines of a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Bangkok, said Moon’s spokeswoman Ko Min-jung.

It was the first meeting between them since September 2018, although they shook hands at the G20 in June.

“Both leaders reaffirmed the principle that bilateral issues should be resolved through dialogue,” said Ko. “President Moon offered higher-level talks if necessary, and Prime Minister Abe suggested seeking a resolution through all available means.”

Ties between the two countries have plunged to their lowest point in decades since South Korea’s top court last year ordered Japanese firms to compensate some wartime forced labourers. The feud has subsequently spilled over into trade and security issues.

Moon sent Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon to Tokyo last month for Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony with a personal letter calling for efforts to mend ties.