[국제]Prime Minister Suga, “Korea is a very important neighbor” … paying attention to different ways of speaking

[앵커]

Shortly after the Korea-Japan summit telephone conversations, Japanese Prime Minister Suga made an unusual announcement in front of reporters.

At this meeting, I noticed something different from former Prime Minister Abe, referring to Korea as a “very important neighbor.”

Reports from Tokyo correspondent Lee Gyeong-ah.

[기자]

Japanese Prime Minister Suga met with reporters shortly after ending phone conversations with President Moon Jae-in.

This is the first time that the Prime Minister has revealed the content of a call between the summits directly after a telephone conversation with President Trump on the 20th.

Former Prime Minister Abe called Korea an “important neighbor,” but Prime Minister Suga went one step further.

[스가 요시히데 / 일본 총리 : 한일 양국은 서로에게 매우 중요한 이웃이며 북한 문제를 비롯해 한국과 일본, 그리고 한미일 연계가 매우 중요하다고 생각합니다.]

The telephone conversations between South Korea and Japan took place a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Japanese government stressed that it had spoken quickly with South Korea after taking office as the new prime minister.

[가토 가츠노부 / 일본 관방장관 : 현재 양국 관계가 대단히 엄중한 상황이지만 스가 총리는 취임 후 신속히 문 대통령과 전화 회담을 했습니다.]

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Suga did not specifically comment on Korea-Japan relations in the LDP representative’s election debate or in the press conference for the inauguration of the Prime Minister.

In light of this, it can be interpreted as a reflection of the will to resolve positively, saying that “the relationship between Korea and Japan cannot be left as is.

[강창일 / 한일의원연맹 명예회장 : (스가 총리와 같은) 실용주의자는 때가 되면 바꿀 수 있거든요. 저는 스가 총리가 조금 전향적으로 나오지 않을까 그리고 대화에는 응하지 않을까 보고 있습니다. 실제로 수출규제 했는데 일본이 덕 본 게 하나도 없어요.]

President Emeritus Kang said that during his visit to Japan in January, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary Toshihiro Nikai announced his intention to send a visiting group to Korea.

The main contributor to the birth of Prime Minister Suga and the role of Secretary General Nikai who values ​​relations with Korea is a highlight.

However, the prevailing view is that it is difficult for Suga’s cabinet, who professed to succeed Abe, immediately change its position on Korea.

In the first place, the goal of the deep conflict that has accumulated under the Abe regime over the last 7 years and 8 months is expected to be met through concrete cases of cooperation agreed upon by the two leaders, such as the response to Corona 19.

I’m Kyungah Lee from YTN in Tokyo.

[저작권자(c) YTN & YTN plus 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]