Japan and South Korea Hold Vice Ministerial Security Talks in Seoul

Japan and South Korea held their first vice ministerial security talks in Seoul on Thursday, reaffirming the importance of bilateral ties and trilateral cooperation with the United States, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said. Participants also discussed North Korea's continued nuclear and missile development as well as the Middle East and broader regional security issues, according to the ministry.

The two sides agreed to sustain exchanges and coordination between diplomatic and defense authorities. This coordination takes place as reciprocal visits by Japanese and South Korean leaders, known as shuttle diplomacy, has taken firmer root. Japan and South Korea launched the framework of security talks in 1998.

The latest meeting marked the 14th such talks.

The previous framework of director-general-level talks was upgraded to vice ministerial talks this time. The change followed confirmation of the significance of security cooperation between Japan and South Korea and among the two countries plus the U.S. Japan was represented by Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi and Vice Minister of Defense for International Affairs Koji Kano.

From South Korea, First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo and Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee attended the meeting.