The Yomiuri Shimbun's front page reported that South Korean President Lee Jae-myung visited the Blue House in Seoul on the afternoon of the 19th for an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun. Regarding the unresolved issues between Japan and South Korea, such as the comfort women and former conscripted laborers (former Korean Peninsula workers), he emphasized the idea of following the agreements reached by previous South Korean governments with Japan, stating that "it is not desirable to overturn them." He positioned Japan as a "very important presence" and expressed willingness to strengthen relations in economic and security areas. Mr. Lee will visit Japan for the first time after taking office on the 23rd.

Mr. Lee spent about an hour and a half at the Blue House answering questions from the president and chairman of the Yomiuri Shimbun Group, Norio Nozawa. This was the first face-to-face interview Mr. Lee has given to media, including Korean media, since he became president in June.

Regarding relations with Japan, Mr. Lee said, "It is very important, and I believe South Korea can also benefit Japan. We must find ways that are beneficial to both sides and expand the fields where we can cooperate."

Regarding historical issues such as the comfort women and former conscripted laborers, which have been factors in Japan-South Korea conflicts, he called for "acknowledging the reality as much as possible and striving for mutual understanding to solve problems without becoming confrontational."

On the comfort women issue, the Abe administration confirmed in 2015 a "final and irreversible solution" with the Park Geun-hye government of South Korea. The previous Yoon Suk-yeol government summarized a solution regarding the former conscripted labor issue in 2023. The left-wing Democratic Party, to which Mr. Lee belongs, has a history of strong opposition to these solutions. Mr. Lee reiterated in the interview that he would maintain this agreement, saying, "Although this is an agreement of the previous government, it is difficult for the South Korean people to accept it, but as a country, it is a commitment, so overturning it is not desirable."

He also suggested that the two countries should discuss these issues from a long-term and "more humanitarian perspective," while seriously considering the positions of the people, victims, and the families of the deceased, and stated, "We bear two major responsibilities: on one hand, considering policy consistency and national external trust, and on the other hand, taking into account the feelings of the South Korean people."

Mr. Lee will make his first visit to Japan after taking office on the 23rd-24th. Regarding the summit with Prime Minister Ishiba scheduled for the 23rd, he said, "We will discuss areas where we can cooperate," and expressed plans to discuss expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, security, and cultural exchanges. He also emphasized the usefulness of "shuttle diplomacy," where Japanese and South Korean leaders frequently visit each other to build trust.

He also mentioned the Japan-South Korea Joint Statement announced in 1998 by the Koizumi government and the Kim Dae-jung government, and evaluated it as a "new rupture in Japan-South Korea relations." Most importantly, he said, "I hope to take over the declaration and announce a new joint statement that goes beyond it," and expressed willingness to draft the declaration during his term.

◆ Japan-South Korea Joint Statement = Signed in Tokyo in 1998 by then Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. Mr. Koizumi expressed "painful remorse and sincere apologies" for Japan's past colonial rule. Mr. Kim Dae-jung said, "It is the demand of the times for the two countries to overcome the unfortunate history and strive to develop a future-oriented relationship with each other. South Korea pledged to gradually open up Japanese pop culture, which led to the expansion of exchanges between Japan and South Korea."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841017096060928/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.