Seoul mayor meets Japanese ambassador to discuss strengthened exchanges with Tokyo

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, right, shakes hands with Koichi Mizushima, the Japanese ambassador to Korea, after discussing ways to foster exchanges between Seoul and Tokyo at Seoul City Hall, Monday. Yonhap

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Koichi Mizushima, the Japanese ambassador to Korea, at Seoul City Hall, Monday, to discuss strengthening ties and fostering exchanges between Seoul and Tokyo.

The meeting highlighted the importance of ongoing cooperation between the two capitals, particularly on the back of improving diplomatic relations between Korea, Japan and China.

Mizushima, who took office in May, emphasized Japan's view of Korea as a critical partner in addressing global challenges.

Seoul and Tokyo have a long history of collaboration. They signed a friendship city agreement in 1988. Seoul also signed a separate sister city agreement with Hokkaido in 2010.

The relationship has involved regular policy exchanges, mutual visits and participation in international events.

Oh expressed optimism about the potential for revitalizing the tripartite relationship between Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing. He called for a renewal of the active exchanges that characterized the three cities' interactions a decade ago.

"I hope the three cities' mayors can meet again, as they did ten years ago, to revitalize exchanges between the capitals of Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing," Oh said.

Looking ahead, Oh extended an invitation to Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and Japanese companies to participate in the upcoming Seoul Smart Life Week in October. The event aims to showcase advanced technologies that can improve urban living.

Mizushima responded positively, noting the ongoing improvement in relations between Japan and Korea. He expressed hope that the efforts by Seoul would lead to even more active exchanges between the cities, strengthening ties not just between the governments but also between the people of the two nations.

Mizushima said, "Active exchanges between countries and cities will also help strengthen relations between our peoples."