SEOUL — First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun is set to visit Japan and Malaysia this week to engage in talks with his counterparts, aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and discussing regional and international cooperation, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim will engage in a "strategic dialogue" with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano in Tokyo on Friday. This meeting marks a significant follow-up to the March summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which notably improved bilateral ties following South Korea’s proposal to resolve historical issues with Japan without demanding contributions from Japanese firms.
Before his visit to Japan, Kim will spend three days in Malaysia starting Tuesday, where he will meet Malaysian counterpart Amran Mohamed Zin. The discussions will focus on various issues of mutual interest and are aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation. This marks the resumption of high-level diplomatic dialogues with Malaysia after a hiatus of 16 years, the ministry added.