1. On the occasion of the Munich Security Conference 2019, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met bilaterally with Foreign Minister of Japan Taro Kono on February 15 for a discussion on ways to work together toward denuclearization and a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, the ruling by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea regarding victims of forced labor during the Japanese occupation of Korea, and the way forward for the ROK-Japan relations.

2. Minister Kang expressed hope for the success of the forthcoming second summit between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, suggesting that the ROK and Japan work together to achieve tangible progress toward a complete denuclearization and a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

° Minister Kono, voicing hope for tangible results from the second US-DPRK summit, proposed that communication on Korean Peninsula issues be maintained between the ROK and Japan, as well as among the two countries and the US.

3. Minister Kang articulated the ROK government’s position regarding the Supreme Court ruling regarding victims of forced labor during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Foreign Minister Kono responded by explaining the position of the Japanese government.

4. The two Ministers took the opportunity of the meeting to engage in a serious and thorough exchange of views; particularly appreciated the fact that their meeting came only about three weeks after the one held on January 23 on the occasion of the Davos Forum 2019; and drew a common understanding that the more difficult issues the two countries face between them, the more they need to maintain communication and exchanges at various levels.

° The two Ministers agreed to continue close consultations with each other on the occasion of various events.

* unofficial translation