Latest news with #ChoHyun
Asahi Shimbun
an hour ago
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Koizumi urges South Korea to lift import ban on Japanese seafood
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, right, meets with farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Aug. 11 in Seoul. (Daisuke Shimizu) SEOUL--Fisheries minister Shinjiro Koizumi called on South Korea to lift import restrictions on Japanese seafood products that were imposed following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. He made the call during an Aug. 11 meeting here with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. Seoul slapped curbs on imports over fears fish caught in the Pacific could be contaminated with radiation due to the triple meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. After the meeting, Koizumi told reporters that trust in the safety of Japanese food products has revived. He expressed strong hopes for swift progress in dialogue between the two countries toward removing the restrictions. 'If we proceed based on sound science, mutual understanding can certainly be achieved,' he said. Import controls remain in effect for marine products from eight prefectures, including Fukushima and Miyagi. While Koizumi did not disclose South Korea's immediate response to his request, he emphasized the symbolic importance of Japan's fisheries minister meeting with the country's foreign minister. 'This meeting itself is a reflection of their message to promote and develop our bilateral relations,' he said. In Seoul, the Foreign Ministry said the two ministers emphasized the importance of close communication. They also exchanged views on broader bilateral relations, including economic cooperation, officials added. Cho stressed the need for more active dialogue at all levels to build stronger and more mature bilateral ties, especially as the two countries mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations. Koizumi was in South Korea to attend an APEC ministerial meeting on food security, as well as a trilateral agriculture ministers' meeting with China and South Korea. (This article was written by Akihiko Kaise in Incheon and Daisuke Shimizu in Seoul.)
Japan Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Koizumi presses Seoul to lift fishery curbs, meets S. Korea, China counterparts
Agriculture and fisheries minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Monday called on South Korea to remove restrictions it has placed on imports of fishery products from eight Japanese prefectures. South Korea has been suspending imports of fishery products from Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Chiba prefectures following the 2011 meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan. In his 30-minute meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Seoul, Koizumi stressed the safety of Japanese fishery products and called for an early removal of the restrictions. "Many (South Korean) tourists visiting Japan are enjoying safe and delicious Japanese food. Confidence in Japanese food has recovered sufficiently," Koizumi told reporters. The meeting between Koizumi and Cho, the first between a Japanese agriculture minister and a South Korean foreign minister, came amid a recent improvement in relations between the two countries. Koizumi said that realizing the meeting "may be a sign of South Korea's intention to develop Japan-South Korea relations." He added, "If we proceed based on scientific grounds, we will gain understanding," expressing hope for an early removal of the South Korean restrictions on Japanese fishery products. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is expected to visit Japan late this month to meet with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Koizumi separately held a three-way meeting with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts, Han Jun and Song Mi-ryung, in Incheon near Seoul — the first such meeting in seven years. The three ministers agreed to strengthen collaboration for the sustainable and sound development of livestock production against the spread of transboundary animal diseases, according to their joint statement. They stressed the need to boost food self-sufficiency and strengthen reserve systems amid rising threats to food supplies, and agreed to consult as necessary in times of crisis.
NHK
18 hours ago
- Business
- NHK
Tokyo asks Seoul to scrap restrictions on imports of Japanese seafood
Japan's Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro has asked the South Korean Foreign Minister to scrap restrictions on imports of Japanese seafood. Koizumi held talks with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun at a rare meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on Monday. Seoul suspended imports of marine products from eight Japanese prefectures following the 2011 nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Koizumi requested that Seoul lift the restrictions, arguing that Japanese foods are safe. After the talks, Koizumi told reporters that Japanese foods have regained public trust as can be seen by the many South Korean visitors to Japan who enjoy consuming them. He said he is confident that Japan can convince South Korea on this matter through discussions based on science. He said he will consider specific steps with Seoul so the South Korean government can repeal the measure.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Top diplomats of S. Korea, Britain discuss bilateral ties in 1st phone talks
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke with his British counterpart, David Lammy, by phone Monday to discuss ways to advance their strategic partnership and other security issues, his office said. Cho noted that the two countries have actively engaged in high-level exchanges since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung government in June and urged Britain's active support for the new administration's foreign policy, according to the ministry. Additionally, Cho expressed hope for closer cooperation in upgrading their bilateral free trade agreement as well as in the economic and artificial intelligence sectors. In response, Lammy voiced his expectation that the two sides will closely communicate for the continued development of the bilateral relationship in key areas, including trade, defense and climate change. The two ministers also exchanged their views on the security of the Korean Peninsula and the situation in Ukraine, and agreed to meet at an early date for in-depth discussions on further strengthening bilateral ties. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Presidential office says to advance ties with China based on robust alliance with US
South Korea is seeking to advance its relationship with China based on the staunch alliance with the United States, the presidential office said Tuesday, following the foreign minister's remarks describing Beijing as "somewhat problematic" for its neighbors. In an interview with The Washington Post last week, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun suggested that China's rise and its assertive actions in the region have made neighboring countries "alert," saying there is a "problem of China becoming somewhat problematic" for its neighbors. Cho was responding to a question about what he believes a "correct approach" to China should be. "We're seeking to develop our bilateral relations with China based on the staunch South Korea-US alliance," the presidential office said in a message to reporters. "Minister Cho's remarks were made in the context of South Korea's continued efforts to build a relationship with China that contributes to regional stability, prosperity and the well-being of people," it said. The presidential office also noted that Cho has emphasized the importance for relevant countries to engage with China. In the interview, Cho said the Lee Jae Myung government seeks to maintain good relations with China and will work with the United States and Japan to engage with Beijing rather than isolate it. (Yonhap)
