1. During Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Chung Eui-yong’s visit to New York on the occasion of the 76^th UN General Assembly Session, he had a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi on September 23 at 10am (local time) for about 50 minutes and exchanged views on ways to resolve bilateral issues and develop future-oriented relations between the ROK and Japan.

2. Minister Chung stressed the importance of inter-Korean cooperation, dialogue, and engagement for complete denuclearization and the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. Minister Motegi responded that Japan will continue to cooperate for a substantive progress of the peace process on the Korean peninsula. In this regard, the two ministers agreed to continue collaboration between the two countries, as well as the trilateral collaboration among the ROK, the United States, and Japan.

3. The two ministers discussed the pending issues including the Supreme Court’s ruling on victims of forced labor, the issue of “comfort women” victims, and the restrictive measures imposed by Japan on exports to the ROK.

° Minister Chung explained the Korean government’s position on the historical issues between the ROK and Japan, and suggested that the two countries work together to seek a solution and speed up the consultation.

° He also mentioned that the export restrictions imposed by Japan should be withdrawn as soon as possible.

° In return, Minister Motegi explained the Japanese government’s position.

4. Minister Chung reiterated that people-to-people exchange between the ROK and Japan should be revitalized as soon as the pandemic situation stabilizes.

5. The two ministers agreed to continue close diplomatic communication for a future-oriented development of the ROK-Japan relations.  /end/