Japan's top diplomat to visit South Korea to shore up security ties

First trip by Tokyo's foreign minister in 7 years takes place amid turmoil

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya aims to "reconfirm" the bilateral ties with South Korea in his visit to the neighboring country scheduled on Jan. 13. © Reuters

January 10, 2025 20:21 JST

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will travel to South Korea on Monday to shore up security cooperation between the East Asian neighbors and their mutual U.S. ally that is meant to counter China's growing regional power.

Iwaya, who will be the first Japanese foreign minister to visit Seoul in seven years, will meet with his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul and Acting President Choi Sang-mok, the Japanese government said.