Defense Minister Koizumi visited the ROK on June 27 and 28, 2026. Major events are as follows.
1. Flower Offering at Seoul National Cemetery
Defense Minister Koizumi offered flowers at Seoul National Cemetery, which is reserved for Koreans including veterans who fought in the Korean War.
2. Visit to Pyeongtaek Naval Base
On June 27, DM Koizumi visited Wonju Air Base with Minister of National Defense Ahn during his visit to the ROK. The base is home to the Black Eagles aerobatic team, which flew to Naha this January. This marked the first visit to the base by a foreign defense minister.
3. Japan-ROK Defense Ministerial Meeting
On June 28, DM Koizumi held a bilateral meeting with Minister of National Defense Ahn. They highly appreciated the steady progress of bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges. JMOD/JSDF will continue to work closely while respecting each other’s positions.
4. Visit to Defense Media Agency
On June 28, DM Koizumi visited the Defense Media Agency guided by Minister of National Defense Ahn.
5. View Exchange with the young generation from both countries
On June 28, DM Koizumi held a candid exchange of views with Korean youth, together with Minister of National Defense Ahn. They discussed a wide range of topics, including defense policy, and were greatly inspired by the fresh perspectives.
6. Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho
On June 28, DM Koizumi met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho and exchanged views. They shared their assessments of the security environment surrounding their countries, and DM Koizumi introduced the current state of Japan–ROK defense cooperation and exchanges.
