Tokyo: South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced that Seoul is committed to strengthening its relationships with allies through a "pragmatic" foreign policy during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Iwaya Takeshi, in Tokyo. This marks Cho's first overseas trip since taking office, with scheduled visits to Japan and the United States.
According to Anadolu Agency, Cho highlighted the significance of close cooperation between Tokyo and Seoul on various matters, including issues in the Indo-Pacific region. Iwaya Takeshi, the Japanese Foreign Minister, expressed a desire to engage in thorough discussions with Cho to achieve stable development in bilateral relations. He also emphasized fostering trust and confidence between the two nations.
In a statement before his departure to Tokyo, Cho remarked on the strategic importance of his visit to Japan, noting that it could enhance bilateral relations and trilateral cooperation with the United States. He also mentioned that it is unprecedented for a foreign minister's inaugural trip abroad to be to Japan. Cho reiterated the Lee Jae Myung government's aim to reinforce ties with friendly nations based on a pragmatic foreign policy approach.
Cho further stated that collaborative efforts among friendly nations in formulating external strategies could help transform crises into opportunities. The historical context of fluctuating relations between Seoul and Tokyo was acknowledged, given the tensions rooted in Japan's colonization of the Korean Peninsula before World War II.
Following his discussions in Tokyo, Cho is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Thursday. He aims to develop a proposal focused on national interest that facilitates a mutually beneficial agreement between South Korea and the US.
Seoul and Tokyo are key military allies of Washington in the Asia-Pacific region. The US maintains a significant military presence in both countries, with over 28,500 troops in South Korea and more than 50,000 in Japan, under separate defense treaties.