South Korean Pres. Moon asked to visit Japan

November 24, 2017

Seoul- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has asked South Korean President Moon Jae-in to visit Japan to attend a three-way summit also including China, South Korean officials said Thursday.

Abe made the request in a personal letter that visiting Komeito head Natsuo Yamaguchi handed to Moon during a meeting in Seoul. Komeito allies with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The letter also said the trilateral summit should be held at an early date, according to the officials at South Korea's presidential office.

Yamaguchi told Moon that the three-way summit should be held as early as possible. Moon replied that he will make efforts so that the summit will be held within this year or early next year.

Seoul attaches great importance to its relations with Tokyo, Moon said, calling for joint efforts to realize prosperity and development together. He also said he is happy to visit Japan.

There are various problems between the two countries, but they should manage the problems appropriately and strive together to develop their relationship into a truly future-oriented one, Yamaguchi said.

The two did not discuss specific problems, such as the issue of comfort women forced into prostitution for Japanese troops mainly during World War II.

Moon said that he wants Abe to visit South Korea, as the 2018 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Pyeongchang in February.

Referring to the past rivalry between now-retired figure skaters Kim Yuna of South Korea and Mao Asada of Japan, Moon expressed hope that the Olympics will provide a place for athletes of both countries to grow together.

Yamaguchi and Moon agreed that Japan and South Korea need to increase pressure to make North Korea accept dialogue.

The two shared the view that the North Korea issue should be eventually resolved diplomatically in a peaceful manner.

Moon pointed to the need to avoid a situation in which excessive tensions lead to unwanted developments. It is necessary to control the current situation in a stable fashion, he added. Jiji Press