Will Korea-Japan 'Shuttle Diplomacy' Open a New Chapter? Foreign Minister Meets with Koizumi, Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Unusual Meeting

With the Korea-Japan summit imminent, Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a private meeting with Shinjiro Koizumi, a next-generation leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, on the 11th. It is unusual for the head of foreign affairs to meet with the head of another Japanese ministry outside the foreign and security sectors, according to diplomatic sources. Koizumi, the Minister of Agriculture, is considered a key figure in Japanese politics, having already been elected to the House of Representatives six times at the age of 44. He is also a candidate for the next Prime Minister. Minister Cho and Minister Koizumi held their first private meeting at the Grand Reception Room of the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu on that day. This meeting drew more attention as it took place amid expectations that a Korea-Japan summit would be held in Tokyo around the 23rd.
Koizumi is the second son of Junichiro Koizumi, former Prime Minister of Japan. Former Prime Minister Koizumi is credited with opening the door to 'shuttle diplomacy' between Korea and Japan. Former President Roh Moo-hyun and former Prime Minister Koizumi held several summits from 2003, advancing practical cooperation on historical issues, future-oriented relationship development, North Korean nuclear issue resolution, Korea-Japan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, and visa waivers. In the 2004 summit, they actively initiated 'shuttle diplomacy' aiming for a 'steadfast neighbor' relationship, promoting permanent visa waivers and increased flights.
Korea-Japan shuttle diplomacy is a diplomatic method where the leaders of the two countries visit each other alternately, meeting regularly or as needed to discuss issues in a practical and informal manner. However, shuttle diplomacy has repeatedly been interrupted and restored due to former Japanese Prime Ministers' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, along with issues such as the comfort women and Dokdo disputes.
The Lee Jae-myung administration is actively in favor of continuing 'shuttle diplomacy' between Korea and Japan. Koizumi, who visited Korea on the 9th, attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting and the Korea-Japan-China Agriculture Ministers' Meeting and also met with Song Mi-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It is reported that Koizumi's wife and children came to Seoul for vacation two weeks ago.


rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter