TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio will make a two-day visit to South Korea from Friday ahead of the 60th anniversary next year of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic ties, both countries said Tuesday.

During the trip, Kishida will meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI Yoshimasa told a news conference that the visit is part of the resumed shuttle diplomacy and that the two leaders will discuss developing bilateral relations ahead of the anniversary.

“Japan and South Korea are important neighboring countries that need to cooperate to tackle issues facing the international community,” Hayashi said.

The two countries “will continue communicating closely to strengthen and expand their cooperation so that their citizens can feel concrete benefits.”

The South Korean presidential office said that Yoon will look back on the results of the cooperation achieved with Kishida and discuss the future of the cooperation.

The office expressed hope that outgoing Kishida will continue to give constructive advice for the development of the bilateral relations.

JIJI Press