What did Kim Min-seok say about the future of Korea-Japan relations?

Kim Min-seok said Korea and Japan should not forget their shared history while emphasizing the present and building the future. He called for stronger cooperation in politics, the economy, culture and other areas.

How does the 1998 Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration relate to current Korea-Japan ties?

Kim Min-seok said current efforts reflect the vision of the 1998 declaration by seeking to overcome the past and build new relations. He described the declaration as a model for developing bilateral ties.

What did Koichi Mizushima pledge regarding Korea-Japan relations?

Koichi Mizushima pledged to continue efforts to develop stable, future-oriented relations between Korea and Japan. His response followed Kim Min-seok’s call for broader bilateral cooperation.

DPK leader calls for future-oriented ties with Japan based on remembrance of history

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Summary

Rep. Kim Min-seok called for stronger Korea-Japan ties at the National Assembly on Thursday, saying the countries should remember their shared history while building their future. He cited the resumption of shuttle diplomacy and the 1998 Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration as a model. Kim urged expanded political, economic and cultural cooperation, while Ambassador Koichi Mizushima pledged efforts toward stable, future-oriented relations.

Key Facts

Kim Min-seok made the remarks during a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima.
The 1998 Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration called for overcoming the past and building new relations between Korea and Japan.
Kim said cooperation should expand across politics, the economy, culture and other areas.
Mizushima pledged to continue efforts to develop stable, future-oriented relations between the two countries.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 15, 2026 2:56 pm KST

Kim Min-seok, right, leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, shakes hands with Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima during their meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Korea and Japan should work to build stronger bilateral ties while remembering their shared history, the leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said Thursday.

Rep. Kim Min-seok made the remarks during a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima at the National Assembly, noting the resumption of shuttle diplomacy between the two countries.

"The essence of relations between the two countries is not forgetting the past while also placing importance on the present and building the future," Kim said.

"We are realizing the ideal vision laid out and envisioned in the 1998 Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration," he said, referring to the joint declaration signed by then Korean President Kim Dae-jung and then Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi that called for overcoming the past and building new relations.

Kim expressed hope the two countries will further expand cooperation in politics, the economy, culture and other areas.

In response, Mizushima pledged to continue efforts to develop the "stable, future-oriented relations" between the two countries.

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