Japan's Iwaya, new S. Korean top diplomat Cho to affirm ties in Tokyo
The two are likely to agree to strengthen bilateral cooperation, as well as trilateral coordination with the United States, a Japanese government source said, as the close U.S. allies in Asia seek to work together in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and China's growing assertiveness in the region.
Cho is visiting Japan for two days through Wednesday on a trip that will also take him to the United States. He took up the post on July 21 under the administration of Lee Jae Myung, a liberal who became South Korea's president in June following the ouster of his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, over his declaration of martial law.
Cho, an expert in multilateral diplomacy and trade, served as second vice foreign minister and later as first vice foreign minister under Yoon's predecessor, Moon Jae In. He also worked as South Korea's ambassador to the United Nations.
When Moon was in power, Tokyo-Seoul ties sank to their lowest point in decades over issues stemming from Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Disputes on trade and defense also heightened tensions.
The bilateral relationship, however, significantly improved under conservative Yoon, whose term lasted for less than three years.
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