Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered some warm words to South Korea today, suggesting both sides are moving towards normalization of relationship. He upgraded description of South Korea from an “important neighbor” to “the most important neighbor” who “shares basic values and strategic interests.”
Abe told the parliament that “under an increasingly severe security environment in Northeast Asia, diplomacy with neighboring countries is extremely important”. And, “essentially, South Korea is the most important neighbor with which Japan shares basic values and strategic interests.”
Abe also urged to leave the issues of wartime labor behind. And, “I sincerely hope South Korea honors the commitments between the two counties and works toward building future-oriented relations.”
