60th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea... South Korean President: ”Let's join hands for a better future”

At a reception commemorating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called on the two countries to join hands and move toward a better future.
On the 16th, the Japanese Embassy in Korea held a reception to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and Korea at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul.
The event is based on the decision by the foreign ministries of Japan and South Korea to hold commemorative events in Seoul and Tokyo, respectively, as a joint project to mark the 60th anniversary.
President Lee, who was unable to attend due to his attendance at the G7 summit, sent his congratulatory message via video.
"On June 22, 1965, the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea and subsequent agreements were signed, ushering in a new era of cooperation between the two countries," he said. "Over the next 60 years, the two countries have strengthened cooperation in a variety of areas, including the economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges."
"In 1965, the trade volume was about 200 million dollars (about 28.8 billion yen), but by 2024, it is expected to reach about 70 billion dollars (about 10 trillion yen)," he said.
The number of people-to-people exchanges, which was at the level of 10,000 people per year, has now exceeded 12 million," he said. "The 2002 Japan-Korea World Cup united the people of the Republic of Korea.
President Lee said, "I hope that Japan-Korea relations will continue to develop in a stable and future-oriented manner based on the achievements and developments made so far."
"In a recent international situation where the two countries are in a difficult position, we are important partners who should explore ways to respond to this situation," he said. "In a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Ishiba last week, I discussed building a future-oriented Japan-Korea relationship that is needed in this new era," he said.
"I want us to hold hands and move forward together toward a better future," he said, quoting the slogan for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, "Holding hands together, toward a better future."
Kim Jin-ah, second vice minister of foreign affairs, said, "Over the past 60 years, exchanges and cooperation between our two countries have grown explosively in various fields, including the economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges, to a degree that was unimaginable when diplomatic ties were normalized.
He emphasized, "Such development in Japan-Korea relations has been built on the foundation of trust and exchanges that have been accumulated through the pooling of wisdom by the people of our two countries."
"This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, and we must not let the hopes and efforts of the people of both countries go to waste, and we must work to build a stable and future-oriented relationship between Japan and Korea," he continued.
"I would like to make further efforts for the positive development of the economy," he said. Also attending the event was Akihisa Nagashima, a close aide to Prime Minister Ishiba.
On the 19th, a commemorative ceremony was held in Tokyo to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, hosted by the Korean Embassy in Japan and attended by representatives from both countries.
A special reception is planned to be held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, and it is rumored that Prime Minister Ishiba may attend in person. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Various joint commemorative events are being held to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations,
Commemorative events are continuing not only by the government but also privately," he added.