1. Mr. Kim Jung-han, Director-General for Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had a virtual consultation with Mr. Funakoshi Takehiro, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on January 15 and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.

2. In response to Director-General Funakoshi’s explanation on the Japanese government’s position regarding the ruling on January 8 on the lawsuit filed by victims of the “comfort women” issue, Director-General Kim explained the Korean government’s position on the “comfort women” issue and the ruling.

3. Directors-General Kim and Funakoshi also discussed such issues as the ruling on forced labor, Japan’s export-restrictive measures, and the contaminated water at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

4. The two sides agreed on the importance of continuing communication and consultations to resolve pending bilateral issues and agreed to continue close consultations between the diplomatic authorities of the two countries.