South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun Signals Priority on Diplomatic Relations with Japan and US

Strategic Insights -

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun signaled a commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties with Japan and the US, reflecting the Lee Jae Myung government's pragmatic foreign policy approach. Cho made the remarks during the first one-on-one meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo, where he chose to visit before the US, a rare diplomatic move. Cho emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation and resolving historical issues between Japan and Korea. His comments come as South Korea's tariff negotiations with the US reach a critical juncture, with a looming Aug. 1 deadline for a trade deal.

Key Takeaways:

  • Foreign Minister Cho Hyun highlighted the Lee Jae Myung government's efforts to bolster ties with "friendly nations" based on its pragmatic foreign policy approach.
  • Cho emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the US, signaling a commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations with both countries.
  • The first one-on-one meeting between Cho and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya marked a significant step in building a future-oriented relationship between the two nations.
  • Cho mentioned that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has sent his "warm regards" to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, reflecting the government's willingness to build a positive relationship.
  • The talks between Cho and Iwaya touched on long-running historical issues rooted in Japan's colonial rule of Korea, with Cho emphasizing the need for a long-term approach to resolving these issues.
  • Cho plans to discuss the modernization of the US-Korea alliance with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit to Washington, including addressing an assertive China and defense burden sharing.

Statistics:

  • 25%: The proposed US reciprocal tariff on South Korean goods if a trade deal is not reached by the Aug. 1 deadline.
  • 104 years: The duration of Japan's colonial rule over Korea, from 1910 to 1945.
  • 1 Aug: The deadline for South Korea and the US to reach a trade deal, or South Korean goods will be subject to a 25% US tariff and sectoral duties.
  • 1 week ago: The time when Cho Hyun took office as Foreign Minister.

Sources:

  • Yonhap News Agency, "S. Korea's FM Cho Hyun highlights 'shuttle diplomacy' to improve ties with Japan" (March, 2023)
  • The Korea Herald, "S. Korea's Cho to visit US, Japan in bid to enhance ties with key allies" (March, 2023)
  • Reuters, "S. Korea's new FM starts diplomacy with US, Japan" (March, 2023)