Top Japan, S. Korea diplomats to pursue stable development of ties
During their phone talks, Iwaya and Cho also affirmed the importance of cooperating not only bilaterally and also trilaterally with their common ally, the United States, "under the current strategic environment," according to the Foreign Ministry.
Iwaya was quoted as saying he hopes to work closely with Cho, who took office on Monday, to address issues related to North Korea, including its nuclear and missile development and past abductions of Japanese nationals.
Cho, a former South Korean ambassador to the United Nations, was appointed to his current post by President Lee Jae Myung, who took office in early June following the impeachment and removal of his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, for having briefly imposed martial law last December.
Japan-South Korea ties, long strained over historical grievances including a wartime labor dispute, had improved after Yoon became president in 2022, a period that also saw deepened security cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
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The Diplomat
2 hours ago
- The Diplomat
Albanese Wants International Cover Before Australia Recognizes Palestine as a State
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The Diplomat
2 hours ago
- The Diplomat
Thai-Cambodian Ceasefire Continues to Hold, Despite Thai Claims of Violations
Whether the ceasefire holds depends on whether political constituencies in both countries, including their respective armies, are committed to peace. A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia appears to be holding, despite Bangkok's continued claims of violations by Cambodian forces. On Monday evening, the two sides agreed to an 'immediate and unconditional' ceasefire to halt a fierce border conflict that has killed at least 43 people and displaced more than 300,000 in both countries. The agreement came into effect at midnight. Yesterday afternoon, Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters in Bangkok that the situation along the border was calm, despite Thai claims that Cambodian troops had violated the ceasefire early on Tuesday. The Thai army said that Cambodian soldiers opened fire on Thai positions at five areas along the border after the ceasefire deadline and that Thai troops have retaliated 'appropriately' and in 'self-defense.' 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Despite earlier Thai reports to the contrary, military commanders from each side met along the border, agreeing on a number of mutual moves to calm tensions. Had agreed to halt troop movements and suspend reinforcements in disputed areas, and to help Formation of four-person joint liaison teams from each side to coordinate and resolve issues Gen. Tan Sri Haji Mohammad Nizam bin Haji Jaffar, the chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces, also arrived yesterday in Cambodia in order to monitor the ceasefire. As per the Cambodian military, his visit 'aims to assess the mechanisms and processes for enforcing the ceasefire agreement effectively,' as Cambodianess reported. Negotiations between Thai and Cambodian officials will continue at a meeting of the General Border Committee, which is scheduled to take place in Cambodia on August 4. The committee includes the defense ministers and senior military commanders from both countries. 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Nikkei Asia
3 hours ago
- Nikkei Asia
Thailand and Cambodia trade accusations but fragile truce holds
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