1. The Foreign Ministry’s “task force to facilitate cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the Republic of Korea and Japan (head: professor Lee Hoon of the School of Tourism at Hanyang University),” launched on May 28, delivered an outcome report containing its final recommendations to Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha today (August 16).

※ The task force consists of nine people -- its head (from the private sector), and eight members (five from the private sector, and three from the Foreign Ministry).

o The task force was launched to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the ROK and Japan, and to explore ways to work together to enhance their friendly relations, with this year marking the “20th anniversary of the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Joint Declaration.” For about the past two months, it has discussed and reviewed the way forward for exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, strategies, and projects.

2. The TF’s final report sets out 10 strategies and 25 projects. Among the projects are working to designate 2019 and 2020 as the years of ROK-Japan exchanges; developing joint tour courses; pursuing joint projects between UNESCO’s Creative Cities; finding and supporting creators of contents promoting friendship between the ROK and Japan; and conducting youth exchange programs for about 10,000 youngsters per year in a phased manner.

※ Whether to carry out the projects laid out in the TF’s final report will be decided based on the results of consultations with the Japanese side, so details are not disclosed to the public.

3. After receiving the TF’s final report, Foreign Minister Kang said that the report showed the members of the TF had given a lot of consideration to ways to advance the ROK-Japan relations in a future-oriented manner, and expressed appreciation for proposing creative and future-oriented projects to celebrate the “20th anniversary of the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Joint Declaration.”

o Head of the TF Lee Hoon provided a brief explanation on the report, and said that it was necessary to create a groundbreaking opportunity for bilateral exchanges which can help the youth in the ROK, Japan, and other Northeast Asian countries develop a shared understanding of issues of common concern, including humanity, peace and environment.

o Minister Kang said that the government would review projects that are more effective in boosting exchanges and more feasible first, and also look at projects that can be carried out together with Japan.

4. Drawing upon the TF’s outcome report, the Foreign Ministry will explore the feasibility of each project in consultation with relevant government agencies and organizations, and discuss ways to pursue cooperation projects in consultation with Japan.

※ On August 10, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an expert meeting (head: former Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Seiichi Kondo) to discuss ways to increase cultural exchanges between the ROK and Japan.

* unofficial translation