◀ Anchor ▶
After the Korea-Japan summit, President Yoon Seok-yeol issued the first message saying, “Make every effort to take follow-up measures so that the people can feel the consequences.”
It seems to be a breakthrough against the public opinion of the domestic opposition parties.
President Yoon’s approval rating has dropped since last week.
This is Reporter Lee Ki-joo.
◀ Report ▶
After returning from the Korea-Japan Summit and attending the official meeting, President Yoon Seok-yeol’s first message was to “Strengthen follow-up measures.”
[이도운/대통령실 대변인 (어제)]
“I asked all ministries to make every effort to take follow-up steps so that the public can feel the improvement in Korea-Japan relations and cooperation.”
He expressed his prediction by saying, “Measures for cooperation between the two countries will soon emerge in the fields of politics, economy and industry, student exchange, and history and popular culture.”
He emphasized “I’m not doing it because of public opinion, I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do.”
It is interpreted to mean that both countries will achieve results through subsequent measures.
After the Korea-Japan summit, Japanese media reported that the territorial sovereignty of Dokdo, the comfort women agreement, and the release of contaminated water in Fukushima were discussed. The authorities expressed regret and asked them to prevent this from happening again.”
However, he avoided an immediate answer, saying, “I can’t reveal it,” about whether there was discussion on lifting the Fukushima seafood import ban.
The ruling party also continued to drum up support.
He presented a report that Chairman Kim Jong-un had led the launch of a simulated nuclear strike, and offered security cooperation in exchange for the normalization of Korea-Japan relations.
[김기현/국민의힘 대표 (어제)]
“With a decision for the future, a decision for the economy and security, we will accelerate diplomatic normalization to maximize national interests.”
However, even within the ruling party, there was a negative view of President Yoon’s diplomacy with Japan.
Former lawmaker Seung-min Yoo criticized, “Why should the victim open the heart of the criminal?”, and Congressman Woong Kim also criticized, “Who would have a heart of reconciliation with an apology like ‘I’m wrong’?”
President Yoon’s approval rating for state affairs was 36.8%, down 2.1 percentage points from last week, and the negative evaluation was in the 60% range.
As much as hinting at a breakthrough, President Yoon is expected to preside over today’s cabinet meeting and explain the results of the Korea-Japan talks.
This is Lee Ki-joo from MBC News.
