1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun had a bilateral meeting with Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Mori Takeo on July 20 during his visit to Tokyo to attend the eighth ROK-U.S.-Japan Vice Foreign Ministerial Meeting.

2. Vice Minister Choi congratulated the opening of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, for which Vice Minister Mori expressed his gratitude. The two Vice Ministers agreed to continue efforts to resolve pending issues based on the results of the working-level consultations the two countries had had in anticipation of a possible ROK-Japan summit.

3. In this meeting, the two Vice Ministers exchanged views on key bilateral issues and matters of mutual concern.

◦ Vice Minister Choi lodged a protest over the recent undiplomatic and rude remarks by a senior official of the Japanese Embassy in Korea and urged the Japanese government to take due measures as soon as possible.

◦ Regarding historical issues, Vice Minister Choi explained that gaining the victims’ understanding and consent is the foundation in resolving these issues. He expressed his expectation for Japan to address the issues with an open mind based on a correct perception of history, and clearly conveyed the Korean government’s position on these issues.

◦ Vice Minister Mori, on his part, explained the Japanese government’s position on bilateral issues.

◦ Both sides also exchanged views on issues including high-level exchanges, ROK-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation, substantial cooperation under COVID-19 with a view to providing greater convenience for the people of both countries, and those regarding the Korean Peninsula.

4. This meeting was the first face-to-face meeting between the two Vice Ministers since their inauguration. The two sides agreed to maintain close communication between the diplomatic authorities, leaving open the possibility of resuming the ROK-Japan Vice Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue.