Yoon, Ishiba discuss travel agreement

VIENTIANE, Laos -- President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan's newly elected Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba discussed a new bilateral travel agreement that would allow their citizens' free movement between the two countries through a streamlined immigration process, according to Yoon's office on Thursday

Kim Tae-hyo, first deputy director of the presidential National Security Office, said in a briefing in Vientiane, Laos that Yoon and Ishiba pledged to accelerate discussions for the new travel agreement.

In August during a news conference, Yoon projected that the number of people traveling between South Korea and Japan this year would "hit an all-time high" beyond 10 million.

Kim added that the two countries are to start joint research projects in the fields of hydrogen, ammonia and quantum technology.

Yoon on Thursday held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Vientiane.

In his first meeting with the new Japanese prime minister, who took office just nine days prior, the two leaders agreed to continue their shuttle diplomacy and to maintain active communication in preparations for the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties next year.

Before Thursday's meeting, Yoon's office expected the meeting would signal a continued push for improved ties between South Korea and Japan through frequent meetings between the leaders, as well as trilateral ties between South Korea, Japan and the US, as Seoul and Tokyo have sought to further develop bilateral ties that have long been strained by historical and territorial disputes.

“Following the former Prime Minister Kishida, I hope to continue developing Korea-Japan relations through active and close communication with you, including shuttle diplomacy,” Yoon told Ishiba. “Especially as 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, I hope we can present a bright vision for the future of our relationship, allowing our people to feel the leap forward in our bilateral ties.”

Yoon‘s Japanese counterpart agreed with the suggestion to continue shuttle diplomacy, saying that “close cooperation between Japan and Korea is crucial for regional stability and peace.”

“I intend to build upon and further develop the significantly improved relationship between our two countries, as established by President Yoon and former Prime Minister Kishida,” he said.

The summit followed a phone call meeting between the respective defense ministers of Seoul and Tokyo, where the two discussed defense-related exchanges earlier in the day.

Yoon met former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida 12 times from March 2023 until the end of his term.

According to Yoon's office, the two leaders did not discuss past historical grievances, nor plans for their next meeting.