(attachment 5) Japan- Republic of Korea Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)

October 20, 2018
Ministry of Defense

On October 20th, 2018, from 4:50 pm (local time) for about 35 minutes, Defense Minister Iwaya, who was visiting Singapore to attend the 5th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), held a meeting with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeongdoo. The summary of the meeting is as follows:

1. Opening Remarks

Defense Minister Iwaya congratulated on Minister Jeong's inauguration as Minister of National Defense, and stated that he would like to further develop the Japan-ROK defense cooperation and exchanges with Minister Jeong. Likewise, Minister Jeong congratulated on Minister Iwaya's inauguration, and stated that he would like to make progress in the cooperation between the defense authorities of Japan and the ROK in various areas. Also, with regard to the International Fleet Review hosted by the ROK, Minister Iwaya said it was very regrettable for Japan to have had no choice but to cancel the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)'s participation in the review due to the instruction on the flags to fly specified by the ROK side. Minister Iwaya also stated that he had to say in a strict manner that it was also very regrettable that the ROK raised a flag contradictory to their own instruction, and that the ROK did not demand other participating countries to follow the same policy. Minister Jeong remarked that although the calling off of JMSDF vessel's participation in the review was regrettable, he is grateful that JMSDF Chief of Staff participated in the WPNS (Western Pacific Naval Symposium) to create an opportunity for the Japan-ROK service-to-service cooperation to advance in a future-oriented manner.

2. North Korean Situation

The two Ministers exchanged opinions on the situation in North Korea. Minister Iwaya stated that he would like to cooperate with the international community including the Japan-ROK-U.S. cooperation in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, in order to extract more concrete actions from North Korea. Minister Jeong explained the recent inter-Korean relationship, and stated that he would like to closely cooperate with Japan for the complete denuclearization and establishment of permanent peace in the Korean Peninsula.

3. Japan-ROK defense cooperation and exchanges

The two Ministers exchanged opinions on the Japan-ROK defense cooperation and exchanges, and agreed that the two defense authorities would communicate more closely. The two Ministers also confirmed that they would continue to advance the Japan-ROK defense cooperation and exchanges in a future oriented manner, ranging from high-level and working-level exchanges to unit-to-unit and personnel exchanges, as well as education and research exchanges.