Historic visit of Japanese premier Kishida to South Korea

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is in South Korea for a bilateral meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol, in an official visit considered historic, because it is the first by a Japanese leader to South Korea in over a decade. Seoul and Tokyo are trying to restart their diplomacy and mend ties in the face of growing nuclear threats from Pyongyang.

My "heart bleeds" for the suffering experienced by South Koreans during the colonization of the Rising Sun, Kishida said, thus emphasizing the intention for a new effort to mend relations between Tokyo and Seoul and explained: "My heart aches because many people had a very difficult and sad experience in a difficult environment at that time," Kishida said, speaking after the summit with the South Korean president.

"Japan and South Korea share a different history and development, and I believe it is my responsibility as Prime Minister of Japan to work with President Yoon and South Korea to continue the efforts of our predecessors who have overcame even the difficult moments," he said. Kishida arrived in South Korea today for a two-day visit.