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Visit to the Republic of Korea

On February 9, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Yongpyong and PyeongChang in the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Prime Minister Abe held talks with H.E. Mr. Moon Jae-in, President of the ROK. Following that, Prime Minister Abe attended a reception hosted by President Moon, and then participated in a Japan-US-ROK photo session.

Lastly, the Prime Minister attended the Opening Ceremony for the 23rd Olympic Winter Games held at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium.

After the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting, the Prime Minister said, “Firstly, at the beginning, I explained to President Moon clearly and in detail the position of Japan on the Japan-ROK Agreement. This agreement states that the issue of the comfort women is resolved finally and irreversibly. This commitment made between our two countries forms the cornerstones of our bilateral relationship. President Moon and I also shared the view that we must develop a future-oriented Japan-ROK relationship.

At long last, the Olympics will start from today. Japan will do everything it can to help make these Olympic Games held in Asia a success.

Meanwhile, even at this very moment, North Korea continues to persistently pursue its plans for nuclear weapons and missiles and develop them. The international community must look squarely at this reality. Dialogue for the sake of dialogue is meaningless. I stated that clearly to President Moon. In order to make North Korea change its policies and have North Korea seek dialogue, all United Nations (UN) Member States need to comply with the sanctions resolutions of the UN Security Council and put maximum pressure on North Korea. I also confirmed with President Moon this firm course of action that Japan and the United States have completely agreed upon. The strong cooperative relationship among Japan, the ROK, and the United States will never waver. North Korea must fully recognize that. I will continue to strongly call on North Korea to take concrete actions toward the resolution of the abduction issue as well as the nuclear and missile issues, based on close cooperation among Japan, the ROK, and the United States.”