[photographic source : Yonhapnews]

A reception commemorating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan, was held successfully at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo from 17:00 to 19:30 on Thursday, June 19, with about 1,000 attendees, including a number of prominent Korean and Japanese figures.

Among participants from the Japanese side were Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nukaga Fukushiro, former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwaya Takeshi, Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen, Minister of Finance Kato Katsunobu, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Abe Toshiko, Minister of the Environment Asao Keiichiro, former Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, former Foreign Minister Kono Taro, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Funakoshi Takehiro, representatives of each party, approximately 100 members of the National Diet of Japan, and prominent figures from business, academia, the culture and arts communities, and friendship associations.

※ It is very unusual for key cabinet members, including the incumbent Prime Minister, Chief Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister, to attend the same event at the same time.

※ Former Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio visited the venue just before the reception and met with Ambassador to Japan Park Cheol-hee.

Participants from the Korean side included chairman of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union Joo Ho-young, Secretary-General of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union Min Hong-chul, chairman of the Korea-Japan Friendship Association Kim Tae-hwan, chairman of the Korea-Japan Cooperation Committee Lee Dae-soon, chairman of the Korea Business Association Ryu Jin, and Korean compatriots and businessmen.

* In addition to the aforementioned, lawmakers Kim Seok-ki, Yoon Jae-ok, Park Dae-chul, Lee Jae-jeong, Kim Young-bae, Bae Hyun-jin, Seo Sam-seok, Kim Ju-young, Park Jeong-hun, Lim Mi-ae, Ahn Sang-hoon, etc. attended.

In his greeting, Ambassador Park Cheol-hee said that the history of Korea-Japan relations over the past 60 years is a history of growth, achievement, and success, compared to the time when diplomatic relations were established in 1965. He also emphasized the importance of △ remembering the wisdom of former leaders and seniors and thanking them for their efforts, △ striving to further develop the current friendly Korea-Japan relationship and make it sustainable, and △ taking responsibility for passing on a hopeful future for Korea-Japan relations to the next generation in both countries.

Prime Minister Ishiba said in his congratulatory speech that there have been various phases in Korea-Japan relations, but broad exchanges have always continued, and that the relationship for the past 60 years has been supported by the people of the two countries.

In addition, he emphasized that the two countries should continue to communicate closely with each other so that relations between governments can develop more stably based on the foundation that has already been established, and that as the strategic environment surrounding the two countries becomes increasingly grave, the two countries should join hands and move toward a better future.

Meanwhile, at the reception, promotional booths were set up to offer exhibitions, tastings, and experiences featuring Korean agricultural and fishery products, tourism, and consumer goods, while Korean and Japanese artists contributing to the expansion of cultural exchanges between the two countries as well as Korean and Japanese high school students gave performances.

※ Reception program

- Opening → Greetings from the organizer (Ambassador Park Cheol-hee) → Congratulatory speeches (Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, chairman of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians’ Union Joo Ho-young, chairman of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians’ Union Suga Yoshihide, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nukaga Fukushiro) → Toast (former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio) → Commemorative photo

- Greetings by Kim Jae-joong (K-POP star), performances by Korean and Japanese high school students (Tokyo Korean School and Seijo Gakuen High School) and Utagokoro Rie, and a performance of traditional Korean and Japanese musical instruments

- Pleasant conversations and standing buffet

The reception, which was held following △ the first phone call between the leaders of Korea and Japan (June 9), △ the first Korea-Japan summit since the launch of the new government in Korea on the occasion of the G7 Summit (June 17), and △ the commemorative reception for the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Korea (June 16), is considered to have served as an opportunity for both Korea and Japan to express their unwavering commitment to the development of Korea-Japan relations.

The Korean Embassy in Japan plans to continue its efforts to build unshakable ties by holding various events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.