PPP leader meets Japanese envoy, hopes for further improvement in bilateral ties
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, right, shakes hands with Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
The leader of the main opposition People Power Party met with Japanese Ambassador Koichi Mizushima on Monday and expressed hope for further advancement in bilateral relations.
"I hope that the friendly ties between Korea and Japan, which have been maintained positively since the previous administration, will continue to develop further," Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok said during a meeting held at the National Assembly.
He noted that President Lee Jae Myung also appears to have recognized the importance of Japan since taking office, and that many Koreans view the continuation of stable diplomatic relations as a fortunate development.
Jang also said there were concerns among the public that bilateral relations could worsen when Lee was leading the now ruling Democratic Party of Korea during the previous administration.
Marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries this year, Jang emphasized that many aspects of the bilateral relationship have been normalized over the past three years.
In response, Mizushima welcomed the continued efforts to enhance relations, saying that bilateral relations are developing in a "future-oriented and stable manner" since the launch of the new administration.