President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke by telephone for 20 minutes from 4:15 this afternoon, about a month after their last phone conversation on September 15. President Moon congratulated Prime Minister Abe on his party’s victory in the recent general election. 

President Moon said that he believed the consensus of public opinion reflected in the election would greatly support policy implementation. He went on to say that the Prime Minister’s four consecutive election victories, including the one in this general election, manifested the solid support and trust of the Japanese people on his policies, vision and leadership qualities. President Moon expressed his wish that Prime Minister Abe would continue to break the records set by his predecessors and further Japan’s progress and prosperity.

Prime Minister Abe responded by saying that he was truly grateful to President Moon for calling and congratulating him, adding that he was pleased to be able to work with him. He also said that the Korean food he ate on the day before the election helped him overcome fatigue and regain energy. He added that at every speech during the recent election campaign he emphasized the need to put pressure on North Korea for its threats so that the North would change its course voluntarily. He also said he intended to underscore the possibility that North Korea and its people could prosper with their diligence and abundant resources as long as the regime opts for the right course. The Japanese Prime Minister proposed that he and President Moon work closely together in the days and months to come.

President Moon noted he had read an article about the Prime Minister`s visit to a Korean-style barbecued beef restaurant on the last day of the election campaign. The President then said that the frequent and frank communication with the Prime Minister so far has helped reconfirm the need for efforts to develop their counties’ relations into a forward-looking, mature partnership. The President went on to say he looked forward to continuing cooperation with the Prime Minister for the advancement of bilateral ties. In this connection, President Moon said he had requested Professor Lee Su-hoon, who will soon take up his new post as the ambassador to Japan, to play a significant role in and contribute to developing a forward-looking, mature and cooperative partnership through close cooperation and communication with Japan’s newly-elected administration. The President also asked the Prime Minister to pay special attention to and provide support for the new Korean ambassador to Japan.

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the joint declaration by former Korean President Kim Dae-jung and former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi. Therefore, President Moon expressed his hope that the Governments of the two nations could work closely in enhancing their relationship. 

In addition, the two leaders agreed to discuss ways to improve bilateral relations and respond to North Korea’s nuclear development when occasions permit, including the APEC Summit and the ASEAN related summits to be held next month. They also concurred on the need to maintain close cooperation between Korea and Japan and among Korea, the United States and Japan in the days to come to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula.