President Lee Jae-myung and Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a summit on the 13th in Nara Prefecture, Japan, and said the new year of byeongo is a starting point to look back on the past 60 years of Korea-Japan relations and prepare for a new 60 years, adding, I sincerely hope this year will mark the first year of a new 60 years in which Korea and Japan truly become closer through denser exchanges and cooperation, and vigorously move toward the future together.
That day, the leaders of Korea and Japan agreed to cooperate on DNA testing of the remains of Koreans from the Chosei undersea coal mine, supply chains, and responses to transnational crimes. In particular, the testing of Korean remains is the first case since the launch of the current administration in which the leaders of the two countries met and produced a concrete agreement on past history issues. President Lee said it is a small but meaningful step forward on past history. They also exchanged views on cooperation between the two countries as well as Korea-China-Japan cooperation amid China-Japan tensions over the cross-strait (China and Taiwan) issue and a ban on rare earth exports.
After concluding the Korea-Japan summit in the afternoon, the two leaders jointly announced an agreement to this effect. President Lee said there was an accident in 1942 at the Chosei undersea coal mine in Ube, Japan, in which 183 Koreans and Japanese drowned, and only in Aug. of last year, more than 80 years later, were remains first excavated, adding the two countries will push DNA testing to identify the remains and conduct working-level consultations between the authorities on specifics. He also said, I find it truly meaningful that, on the occasion of this summit, we were able to make a small but meaningful step forward on past history issues.
The Chosei undersea coal mine incident was a disaster at an undersea coal mine in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, that killed 136 Koreans and 47 Japanese. In June of last year, 83 years after the accident, an underwater search operation was conducted to find remains. Prime Minister Takaichi also said, We welcome that coordination between the two countries is progressing as we request cooperation on DNA testing of remains found at the Chosei undersea coal mine in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
◇ Discussion on supply chain cooperation amid China-Japan tensions… Lee also mentions Korea-China-Japan cooperation
This Korea-Japan summit was held as China restricted rare earth exports in retaliation for Prime Minister Takaichi's remark about possible military involvement in a Taiwan contingency. Global supply chain issues are bound to affect Korea as well. Although rare earths were not specified in the joint press statement that day, it appears that cooperation on this was discussed in the closed-door talks. Prime Minister Takaichi said, We agreed to deepen discussions among relevant ministries so that we can pursue strategic, mutually beneficial cooperation in economic security, adding, I had in-depth discussions with the president on supply chain cooperation.
In particular, President Lee noted to the Japanese side the importance of Korea-China-Japan cooperation. President Lee said the two countries exchanged a broad range of views on regional and global issues and shared recognition of the importance of Korea-Japan and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation for peace and stability in the region amid rapidly changing international circumstances, adding, I also emphasized that the three countries of Northeast Asia—Korea, China, and Japan—need to find as many commonalities as possible and communicate and cooperate together. While he did not mention specific issues, this indicated an intention for Korea to play a mediating role amid the China-Japan conflict.
◇ Reconfirming cooperation on North's complete denuclearization, proposing expansion of mutual recognition of technical qualifications
The two countries decided to strengthen joint responses to transnational crimes, including online scams. Japan will participate in an international cooperation consultative body led by the Korean National Police Agency, and the two sides plan to adopt an agreement stipulating bilateral cooperation. President Lee said the two countries will jointly contribute to protecting the safety of Korean and Japanese nationals in third countries and to resolving transnational crimes that threaten countries around the world. Prime Minister Takaichi also said, Cross-border organized fraud is a common challenge for both countries, adding, We will prepare a document to accelerate our cooperation to date.
President Lee proposed to Prime Minister Takaichi expanding the scope of mutual recognition of technical qualifications, currently limited to the IT field, to other fields, as well as simplifying immigration procedures and encouraging school trips.
Regarding the North Korea issue, the two sides said they reaffirmed their commitment to Korea-U.S.-Japan coordination for the complete denuclearization of North Korea. President Lee said the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace, and will continue close coordination on North Korea policy. Prime Minister Takaichi also said, On responses to North Korea, including the nuclear missile issue, we confirmed that Japan and Korea, and Japan, Korea, and the United States will respond in close cooperation for North Korea's complete denuclearization.