1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Tae-ho met with a delegation of the Japan-Korea Cultural Foundation, headed by President of the Foundation Sameshima Fumio, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 17. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on ways to increase Republic of Korea (ROK)-Japan exchanges, including youth exchanges and cooperation on public diplomacy.

2. Vice Minister Lee took note of the Japan-Korea Cultural Foundation’s work since its founding in 1983 to implement exchange projects between the two countries, including those for adolescents and college students as well as fellowships for Korean researchers. He called for the organization to continue activities promoting the private sector’s exchanges.

° In addition, with regard to the expansion of job opportunities for Korean youth in Japan, which could serve as a good model of mutually beneficial cooperation between the ROK and Japan and a catalyst for advances in the bilateral relations, Vice Minister Lee called for the Foundation’s attention and cooperation.

3. President Sameshima mentioned that the Foundation will continue to actively carry out the private sector’s exchanges to promote mutual understanding between people of the two countries and will make efforts to expand exchanges between future generations of the two countries.

4. With regard to the ROK-Japan relations, Vice Minister Lee explained the ROK government’s intent to seek to resolve problems rooted in history on the one hand, while pursuing practical and necessary cooperation on the other hand. He added that people-to-people exchanges and cooperation would serve as a good impetus for communication and consultation efforts between the diplomatic authorities of the two countries.

5. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to support exchanges and cooperation between private organizations of the ROK and Japan that seek to raise mutual understanding between people of the two countries and to promote the friendly and cooperative relations.