Japan hints at addressing historical issues: security adviser

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands at Horyuji Temple in Nara prefecture, Japan, Wednesday. Yonhap

OSAKA, Japan — The leaders of Korea and Japan showed commitment to making progress in addressing historical tragedies through humanitarian cooperation, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Wednesday.

Wi said the historical issue was one of key agenda items at the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi, held one day earlier.

According to Wi, the issue of identifying remains from the 1942 flooding accident at the Josei coal mine in Ube, Japan, which killed 183 laborers including 136 Koreans, was first proposed by the Japanese prime minister during the leaders’ one-on-one talks.

Historical issues such as the forced labor of Koreans during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea have long been points of contention between the two countries. It has been rare for a Japanese leader to be the first to raise the issues.

“The two sides agreed to cooperate at the relevant authorities’ level to conduct DNA testing to identify remains discovered last August at the site of the 1942 Josei coal mine flooding,” Wi said. “This was the first issue Prime Minister Takaichi raised during the bilateral meeting. She mentioned it before any other topic.”

Wi described cooperation on historical issues as an important first step toward fulfilling the long-standing wishes of bereaved families. He added that such efforts could also serve as a breakthrough for resolving historical disputes based on the universal values of human rights and humanitarianism shared by both countries.

“By addressing historical issues while simultaneously advancing cooperation for the future, Korea and Japan can grow genuinely closer and elevate the quality of their partnership,” Wi said.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Osaka, Japan, Wednesday. Yonhap

Wi also said that the leaders reaffirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation involving China. They discussed the issue amid ongoing tension between Japan and China since Takaichi's November remarks suggesting Japan could take military action if China were to attack Taiwan.

He noted that Lee in particular emphasized the value of both Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation as well as Korea-China-Japan trilateral cooperation.

"At summit discussions, it naturally included strengthening cooperation between Korea and Japan, as well as enhancing trilateral cooperation among Korea, the United States and Japan. The leaders also discussed ways to strengthen trilateral cooperation among Korea, Japan and China," Wi said.

“The leaders agreed that all parties must make efforts to ensure stability in Northeast Asia and to promote greater cooperation in the region,” he said. “President Lee expressed this position in particular,” he added, noting that Korea hosts the secretariat for the trilateral cooperation framework. From that standpoint, he explained, Seoul believes it is all the more important to further advance cooperation and shared prosperity in the region.

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speak at Horyuji Temple in Nara prefecture, Japan, Wednesday. Yonhap

He later added that Takaichi responded positively to those remarks.

Regarding the potential for Korea to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) — a free trade agreement connecting 12 economies — Wi said the two leaders exchanged views on Seoul’s overall approach, and shared an understanding that further consultations would be needed.

Regarding the issue of Japanese seafood imports, Wi said Japan provided explanations on food safety during the talks.

Foreign media also reported that Takaichi expressed a willingness to maintain communication between the two countries on Korea’s ban on seafood imports from Fukushima, stressing the need for a science-based approach.

Earlier this week, Lee said in an interview with broadcaster NHK ahead of the summit that the issue of importing Japanese seafood was likely to be a key agenda item, explaining that it would also be an important issue in securing Japan’s cooperation for Korea to join the CPTPP.

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung attend a meeting with members of the Korean community living in the Kansai region at a hotel in Nara prefecture, Japan, Wednesday. Yonhap

Regarding the next round of summit diplomacy, Wi said that while no decision has been finalized, an invitation for a reciprocal visit was extended in keeping with the spirit continuing visits. He added that possible locations for the next meeting were mentioned, including Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, which is the president's hometown.

“The question of where the next visit might take place came up in a light manner, and Andong was one of the places mentioned,” Wi said. “However, no decision has been made on whether the next visit would involve a regional destination, and that will require further discussion.”