South Korea’s leader visits Japan

Islam News – In a sign that tensions between South Korea and Japan are thawing, President Yoon Suk Yeol is traveling to Tokyo today to meet with Fumio Kishida, the Japanese prime minister. It is the first such visit in 12 years.

The visit is a quick follow-up to last week’s ice-breaking announcement that South Korea would drop its demand that Japanese companies compensate Korean victims of forced labor during World War II. It is a strong indication that the two countries are now willing to cooperate to face rising threats from North Korea and China.

Officials have indicated that the meeting is unlikely to produce significant next steps on issues like lifting Japanese restrictions on technology exports to South Korea. Instead, it’s a test of how well the leaders can assuage domestic opinion about historical grievances.

Diplomacy: Local news media has reported that Kishida will take Yoon for a casual post-dinner drink and a snack of “omu rice,” a Japanese dish that Yoon says he enjoys.

Source: The New York Times