The diplomatic leaders of Japan and China arrived in Busan on the 25th to attend the Korea-Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived at Gimhae International Airport in Busan this afternoon.
Foreign Minister Kamikawa arrived first and left the airport immediately. Director Wang, who appeared about 30 minutes later, did not answer reporters’ questions about ‘what discussions will be held with Korea’ and boarded a courtesy vehicle and went to his lodgings.
Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Foreign Minister Wang are scheduled to hold a China-Japan foreign ministers’ meeting somewhere in Busan on this day to discuss ways to cooperate in the bilateral relationship.
On the 26th, they will hold a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin of Korea, Japan, and China, respectively, followed by a luncheon meeting and a meeting of foreign ministers of Korea, Japan, and China.
Through the Korea, Japan, and China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, foreign ministers are expected to exchange opinions on major regional and international situations, including the agenda and timing of the trilateral summit and ways to develop cooperation between the three countries.
In addition, Minister Park is expected to attend the meeting with an emphasis on promoting ‘cooperation’ to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, using face-to-face talks at the three-party and bilateral levels as an opportunity.
On the 21st of this month, North Korea launched a military reconnaissance satellite, and after the South Korean government suspended part of the ‘9/19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement’, North Korea’s declaration of annulment of the ‘9/19 Agreement’ has heightened military tension on the Korean Peninsula again. Prior to this, circumstances surrounding the illegal arms trade between Russia and North Korea were also detected.
Meanwhile, it is expected that both Korea and Japan will unanimously call for China’s ‘constructive role’ on the North Korean issue.
After North Korea resumed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launches last year, China has been putting the brakes on the situation by continuously exercising its ‘veto’ together with Russia whenever joint response discussions are held at the UN Security Council level.
North Korean human rights issues are also one of the main agendas of this meeting. The issue of forced repatriation of North Korean defectors in China is also expected to come up on the table for talks between Korea and China.
In addition, the Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is expected to discuss the recent ruling by our court in favor of the plaintiff in a lawsuit seeking compensation for damages filed by victims of comfort women for the Japanese military during the Japanese colonial period against the Japanese government.
The Japanese side points out that our court’s ruling violates the principle of ‘state immunity’, that is, international customary law, which states that a sovereign state cannot be brought before the court of another state.
(Busan = News 1)
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.