Opposition denounces gov’t as “pro-Japanese” ahead of Yoon-Kishida summit

Sep 04, 2024, 09:31 am

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President Yoon Suk-yeol guides Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after shaking hands during a meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on May 26, 2024./ Source: Yonhap News

AsiaToday reporters Hong Sun-mi & Han Dae-eui

Ahead of the upcoming South Korea-Japan summit this weekend, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) is focusing on denouncing the government as “pro-Japanese” by raising issues over Fukushima water release, Dokdo Island, and the new right figure appointment. The ruling party pointed out that the DP is intensifying its anti-Japan rhetoric to divert attention from the legal risks faced by its leader Lee Jae-myung, including his upcoming trial in October for election law violations and perjury.

According to political sources on Tuesday, the ruling party expressed regret over the opposition’s anti-Japanese rhetoric, especially as South Korea-Japan relations are improving.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have met 11 times since restoring shuttle diplomacy in May last year. With Kishida’s visit to Seoul this weekend, they are set to hold their 12th summit . The improvement of Seoul-Tokyo relations has also strengthened trilateral cooperation with the United States. “During Kishida’s visit, President Yoon plans to review the achievements of bilateral cooperation and discuss ways to enhance cooperation on bilateral, regional, and international stages,” an official from the presidential office said.

Previously, Yoon agreed to the Washington Declaration during his state visit to the U.S. in April last year to lead the operation of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG). In August, the Korea-Japan-U.S. summit at Camp David solidified trilateral cooperation in various fields, including security.

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