Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that Tokyo and Seoul have reached an agreement to restart high-level mutual visits between their leaders. The disclosure, reported by Kyodo, notes that such exchanges halted in 2011 because diplomatic ties between the two countries had deteriorated over historical and political disputes. The move signals a renewed willingness to reengage after more than a decade of strained relations.
Kishida made the remarks during a meeting with South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is the first South Korean leader to visit Tokyo since 2019. In the discussions, Kishida expressed optimism about turning a page in Tokyo-Seoul relations, telling the Korean president that he was glad to see a new chapter begin. The tone suggested a shared interest in stabilizing regional ties amid ongoing security concerns in the region.
Observers say Tokyo and Seoul appear prepared to deepen dialogue and broaden bilateral cooperation as North Korea maintains a more assertive security posture, including recent missile tests. The reported agreement to resume regular talks comes at a time when regional leaders are looking for clear, steadfast communication to address shared challenges and preserve stability on the Korean peninsula and beyond, according to Kyodo sources familiar with the discussions.
A former South Korean president was slated to visit Tokyo for the first time in 12 years, signaling potential opportunities to address lingering issues through direct, high-level engagement and to lay groundwork for practical cooperation across multiple areas of mutual interest.