1. On the occasion of the ROK-U.S. and the ROK-U.S.-Japan foreign ministerial meetings held in San Francisco, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha had a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi on the afternoon of January 14, local time, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.

2. Minister Kang reiterated the ROK’s position that Japan’s export-restrictive measures must be withdrawn promptly, and called for further acceleration of the dialogue between the Korean and Japanese export control authorities.

3. Minister Kang stressed the ROK’s position on the issue of forced labor, and Minister Motegi mentioned the Japanese side’s position.

4. The two Ministers agreed on the need to continue efforts between the two countries in order for the U.S.-DPRK dialogue to resume promptly and lead to complete denuclearization and the establishment of permanent peace. They agreed to continue close communication and cooperation at each level between the ROK and Japan as well as among the ROK, the U.S. and Japan in the process.
 

5. Minister Kang said that to resolve current issues between the ROK and Japan, it is important to maintain the momentum of dialogue between the two countries created following the bilateral summit on December 24 last year. The two Ministers agreed to continue dialogues and consultations between the diplomatic authorities of the two countries.