1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun met with Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Korea Koji Tomita from 11 a.m., September 7, and with Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the ROK Xing Haiming from 4 p.m. of the same day, for 40 minutes, respectively. In the meetings, the two Ambassadors congratulated Vice Minister Choi on his inauguration, and they had an extensive exchange of views on the overall ROK-Japan and ROK-China relations.

2. Vice Minister Choi and Ambassador Tomita shared the view that the ROK-Japan relations are facing a crucial period ahead, and reaffirmed that amid changes in the Japanese political situation, the two countries will seek to resolve pending bilateral issues through dialogue, as affirmed at the ROK-Japan summit late last year.

 
3. Regarding the issue of forced labor, Vice Minister Choi said that the diplomatic authorities of the two countries need to pool their wisdom in the process of exploring solutions that are acceptable to the victims, while respecting the decision of the judiciary. Vice Minister Choi also called for a prompt withdrawal of Japan’s export-restrictive measures.

o Ambassador Tomita explained the Japanese government’s position.

4. Vice Minister Choi and Ambassador Xing noted with appreciation that even amid the COVID-19 situation, the two countries have been in close communication at various levels, including between the leaders, and agreed to continue working together to overcome the COVID-19 situation successfully and take the ROK-China relations to a higher level.

5. Vice Minister Choi took note that people to people exchanges between the two countries are continuing through, among others, the establishment of “ROK-China fast track,” and called for China’s continued attention and active cooperation in further facilitating Korean citizens’ entry into China in more convenient way.
 

o Ambassador Xing agreed with Vice Minister Choi’s remarks, and said that China will continue to make active efforts to support the smooth expansion of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

 
6. Vice Minister Choi will continue communication not only with the Japanese and Chinese Ambassadors to the ROK but also with the officials of the two countries.