19 May 2017

News Story: Abe, S. Korean leader's envoy agree to resume 'shuttle diplomacy'

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a special envoy of new South Korean President Moon Jae In agreed Thursday to resume "shuttle diplomacy" between the two leaders, according to the envoy.

Abe and Moon Hee Sang, a heavyweight lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, also agreed to build a future-oriented bilateral relationship, with the Japanese leader noting Tokyo and Seoul are each other's "most important neighbors, sharing strategic interests" during the meeting in the prime minister's office in Tokyo.

The shuttle diplomacy, which sees the leaders visit each other's countries roughly every year, has been suspended since December 2011 under the administration of then President Lee Myung Bak.

The envoy handed over a letter from President Moon, saying the new South Korean leader hopes to meet with Abe in person soon and restart the shuttle diplomacy.

The two leaders could hold their first face-to-face talks in July on the margins of a summit of Group of 20 major economies in Germany.

Read the full story at The Mainichi