Republic of Korea’s Director-General for Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MOFA), Kim Jung-han had a consultation with Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Shigeki Takizaki on April 1 in the form of video call, wherein both of them exchanged views on issues of mutual interest to their respective countries.
Directors-General Kim and Takizaki exchanged views on their respective governments’ efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 as well as the situations in their countries, and agreed on the importance of close communication and cooperation between the governments of the Republic of Korea and Japan to eradicate the infectious disease.
DG Kim explained the ROK government’s proactive disease control measures based on its strong capabilities for diagnostic tests and treatment as well as the progress in preventing the spread of COVID-19 while Takizaki also mentioned the Japanese government’s disease control efforts and the situation in Japan.
In addition, Kim said that even when strengthening disease control measures to combat COVID-19, it was necessary to find a balance to enable humanitarian visits and Korean businesspeople’s essential visits.
He repeatedly stressed the ROK’s position on the issue of forced labour, and called for a prompt withdrawal of Japan’s export-restrictive measures. Director-General Takizaki mentioned the Japanese government’s position on the issues.
Regarding the “industrial heritage information center” which opened on March 31, Kim urged Japan to faithfully implement measures to show understanding that there were a large number of Koreans and others who were brought against their will and forced to work under harsh conditions and to remember the victims, as it had promised the international community.
The two Directors-General agreed to continue communication and consultations between the diplomatic authorities of the two countries to resolve pending bilateral issues, including the ones mentioned at the consultation.
