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On November 13, DPJ President Banri Kaieda received a courtesy call from H.E. Mr. Yoo Heung-Soo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Japan and exchanged views.
At the beginning of the meeting, Kaieda welcomed Yoo’s visit and referred to a visit made to the ROK in the previous week by DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano and Policy Research Committee Chair Tetsuro Fukuyama, both of whom were also present at the meeting.
Yoo expressed his gratuity for an opportunity to visit the DPJ despite the current tense situation in Japanese national politics. Yoo also expressed his appreciation for the efforts the DPJ had made to enhance the Japan-Korea relationship when it was in office. The both sides also exchanged views on a prospective snap election and other issues.
Kaieda stated, “The DPJ highly values the Japan-Korea relationship. There are various issues between Japan and South Korea at governmental level, but we would like to promote inter-party exchanges. I plan to send an official delegation to South Korea, but this will be after any election has taken place.” Yoo agreed that inter-party exchanges are important and would help improve the bilateral relationship. Edano then made a proposal, saying, “Though it is true that there are issues between the two sides, exchanges, especially amongst young people, are important. On such occasions, both sides should visit places in Japan and South Korea other than Tokyo and Seoul.”
The meeting was also attended by DPJ International Department Director-General Yukihisa Fujita.
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