S.Korea, Japan hold 16th Deputy Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogue

South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo and Takehiro Funakoshi, Administrative Vice Minister of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held the 16th South Korea-Japan Deputy Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Seoul on November 7, discussing ways to advance bilateral relations and cooperation.

The two officials acknowledged the positive trajectory in relations, citing the normalization of shuttle diplomacy through three summits since June and the swift engagement of both countries’ leaders following the formation of Japan’s new cabinet under Sanae Takaichi. They also shared an understanding of the importance of bilateral cooperation amid a complex international environment that intertwines security and economic issues.

Deputy Minister Park emphasized, “Both governments should maintain close communication to address current issues and prioritize cooperation in areas that bring tangible benefits to our citizens, thereby reinforcing a virtuous cycle in bilateral relations.” In response, Deputy Minister Funakoshi congratulated South Korea on the successful hosting of the APEC Summit in Gyeongju and expressed a commitment to continue close diplomatic coordination to build on the achievements of the recent bilateral summit.

The two sides also exchanged views on the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, agreeing to strengthen cooperation to maintain peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy while adhering to the principle of denuclearization. They further pledged to sustain strategic communication to address shared challenges, including global and regional issues, economic security, and transnational crime.

The dialogue focused on the broader trajectory of Korea-Japan relations and ways to enhance cooperation, rather than specific recent incidents such as South Korea’s Air Force “Black Eagles” mid-air refueling denial or the postponement of the military band’s participation in Japan’s Self-Defense Forces festival.

Prior to the strategic dialogue, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a working breakfast with Deputy Minister Funakoshi, urging that high-level exchanges translate into tangible cooperation that citizens can experience through close coordination between diplomatic authorities.