Japan, South Korea to resume mutual visits amid thaw in ties after 12-year suspension

Yoon met Japanese Prime Minister Kishida in Tokyo, both sides seeking to overcome wartime disputes and reboot defence and economic ties

Before Yoon’s trip, North Korea fired a long-range ballistic missile that landed in the sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands during a joint press conference in Tokyo on Thursday. Photo: via AP

Published: 8:16am, 16 Mar 2023Updated: 8:13pm, 16 Mar 2023

Japan and South Korea agreed on Thursday to resume reciprocal visits by their leaders, suspended for 12 years, as the two Asian neighbours attempt to improve bilateral ties by seeking to resolve what became a major row over a wartime labour dispute.

During talks in Tokyo, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Yoon Suk Yeol also confirmed that they will maintain “close communication” to help strengthen their nations’ relationship.

Yoon’s two-day visit to Japan with his wife, Kim Keon Hee, comes after South Korea announced a proposal last week to settle the wartime dispute, something Kishida has called a “big step” toward a thaw in ties between Tokyo and Seoul.

At a joint press conference after the talks, Kishida hailed Seoul’s solution, saying that bolstering bilateral relations is an “urgent matter,” and that he will consider visiting South Korea “at an appropriate time”.

He said the countries had agreed to resume defence dialogue and vice-ministerial strategic talks, while also restarting a process of trilateral communication between Japan, South Korea and China.

“Cherry blossoms just started blooming in Tokyo this week, and after a long winter season, in terms of our bilateral relations, Japan is now able to welcome the president of South Korea for the first time in 12 years,” Kishida said.