"Ishiba, come to Korea in early January next year"...Will the past conflict be resolved?

"Possible early January next year before the Japanese regular session of the National Assembly"
, South Korea's first country to visit the 'two-way talks'
Yomiuri, "Ishiba, showing how you value Korea"

[Anchor]
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is reportedly visiting Korea as early as next year to coordinate a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol.

However, the conflict over past history has recently emerged in the wake of the Sado Mine memorial ceremony, and it is unclear whether it will achieve satisfactory results even if it is achieved.

Correspondent Kim Se-ho's report from Tokyo.

[Reporter]
Major Japanese media reported the news of Prime Minister Ishiba's visit to Korea.

It is said that they are pushing for a plan to visit Korea in January next year and hold a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol.

It may be in early January next year before Japan's regular session of the National Assembly is called, according to the report.

If the plan is finalized, South Korea will be the first country Prime Minister Ishiba will visit for a bilateral summit.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Prime Minister Ishiba values South Korea.

Prime Minister Ishiba has repeatedly expressed his intention to continue the former Kishida administration's stance on improving relations between Korea and Japan.

[Shigeru Ishiba / Japanese Prime Minister (Oct. 4) : We will continue to strengthen and broaden cooperation between Korea and Japan based on the trust that Prime Minister Kishida has established with President Yoon.]

If Prime Minister Ishiba visits Korea, President Yoon's visit to Japan is expected to continue.

North Korea's nuclear weapons, missiles, and response to military cooperation between North Korea and Russia are expected to be major agendas at the talks.

The Japanese government declined to comment, saying nothing has been decided yet.

[Yoshimasa Hayashi / Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary: Nothing has been decided on foreign visits.]

Recently, Korea-Japan relations have shown signs of conflict over past history.

Japan did not mention and apologize for forced labor of Koreans at the Sado Mine memorial service, and our government did not attend the memorial service.

The two countries plan to establish a broad cooperation system to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations next year.

However, it is pointed out that if this conflict continues, the light may fade even if the summit takes place.

I'm Kim Se-ho from YTN in Tokyo.