By Publisher Lee Jon-young, Reporter Kayla Lee

President Yoon made the remark during a joint statement  with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at

the presidential office in Yongsan in the afternoon of the same day. He stated that he believes the current

positive trend in the newly launched Korea-Japan relations confirms the progress made thus far, adding that 

"The flow of good change is difficult to create at first, but once it is established, it often becomes the

mainstream."

He continued, "I think the current flow of Korea-Japan relations is just like that," and added, "In less than two months since the prime minister and I held a summit in Tokyo, the relationship between Korea and Japan has shown clear improvement." President Yooon emphaized that "in the current serious international situation and global complex crisis, cooperation and collaboration between Korea and Japan are necessary not only for the mutual interests of the two countries, but also for world peace and prosperity," adding that "Korea and Japan, which have been the foundation of peace and prosperity in the international community that is threatened by the values of universal democracy, must work together more closely in the international community."

President Yoon stated that "In a situation where liberal democracy, which has been the foundation of peace and prosperity in the international community, is under threat, Korea and Japan, who share universal values, must cooperate more closely in the inlobal complex crisis, cooperation and collaboration between Korea and Japan are necessary not only for the mutual interests of the two countries, but also for world peace and prosperity," adding that "Korea and Japan, which have been the foundation of peace and prosperity in the international community that is threatened by the values of universal democracy, must work together more closely in the international community." 

President Yoon stated that "In a situation where liberal democracy, which has been the foundation of peace and prosperity in the international community, is under threat, Korea and Japan, who share universal values, must cooperate more closely in the in my visit to Harvard University, but we need to move away from the recognition that we cannot take a single step forward for future cooperation unless the past issues are completely resolved." 

He also welcomed Prime Minister Kishida's visit, saying "I sincerely welcome Prime Minister Kishida's visit to Korea" and expressed condolences and sympathies on behalf of the Korean people for the human and property damages caused by the earthquake in Ishigawa, Japan on May 5. He also expressed his hope that the Prime Minister's visit would be a fruitful step towards future cooperation between Korea and Japan.