Japan-South Korea ties took center stage during a high-level diplomatic meeting held in Tokyo on July 29, 2025. Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya welcomed South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun for their first in-person discussions since Cho assumed office. The two diplomats emphasized the importance of Japan-South Korea ties amid increasing regional instability.
Moreover, they addressed shared concerns over North Korea’s growing military cooperation with Russia. They also noted the threat posed by North Korea’s weapons development. Both sides committed to reinforcing trilateral cooperation with the United States. As a result, they agreed on the need for continued joint efforts to maintain regional stability.
Additionally, they stressed the value of high-level communication between the two nations. The ministers recognized recent progress since South Korea’s new administration began. They also discussed enhancing people-to-people exchanges as part of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization. The talks covered various topics, including the growing threat from cybercrimes and cryptocurrency thefts linked to North Korea. Both ministers agreed on stronger collaboration to counter those crimes. They pledged to share intelligence and support international efforts to restrict illegal financing.
Furthermore, Cho and Iwaya confirmed their mutual goal of resuming economic dialogues. They explored possibilities for increased trade and cooperation in digital industries. They also touched on challenges such as aging populations, climate change, and disaster resilience.
Importantly, they reaffirmed support for resolving the longstanding issue of North Korea’s abduction of Japanese citizens. Japan expressed appreciation for South Korea’s continued solidarity on the matter. They pledged to maintain close contact across all ministries involved. Looking ahead, both sides expressed interest in organizing a trilateral leaders’ summit with China by the end of 2025. They view the summit as a key opportunity to align regional policies. They also emphasized Japan-South Korea ties as critical to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Despite global uncertainty and shifting geopolitical priorities, both nations expressed confidence in their shared goals. They agreed that strengthening Japan-South Korea ties must remain a diplomatic priority. This meeting marked a renewed effort to foster trust, stability, and cooperation across the region.
