1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, who is on a visit to New York, the US, to attend the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (September 19-23), met with her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono on September 22, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including the relations between the ROK and Japan, North Korea and its nuclear issue.

2. The two Ministers took note of the close communications they have continued so far, including frequent phone conversations and their recent three meetings, and agreed to work together to advance the ROK-Japan relations in a steady manner.

3. The two Ministers agreed to make efforts to concretize plans for substantive cooperation between the two countries in economic affairs and people-to-people exchanges, which were discussed at the ROK-Japan summit meeting on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.

o Minister Kang especially hoped that the ROK-Japan high-level economic consultation will be resumed to devise measures for cooperation in the creation of jobs for youth, the Korean and Japanese companies’ joint entry into the markets of third countries, and the fourth industrial revolution. She also expressed hope that the governments of the two countries will work to establish concrete measures to expand youth exchanges and enhance people-to-people exchanges through the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games.

4. The two sides agreed on the importance of close cooperation between the ROK and Japan, and among the ROK, the US and Japan, in the international community’s responses to the North Korean nuclear and missile issue, and agreed to continue consultations in taking effective measures, including the faithful implementation of Security Council resolutions on North Korea.

5. Minister Kono hoped that an ROK-China-Japan summit meeting will be held as early as possible, and President Moon and Minister Kang will visit Japan before year-end.

6. The two Ministers said that their meeting was useful, and agreed to continue close consultations on various occasions.


* unofficial translation