South Korean President arrives in Japan for fence repair summit

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee have arrived in Tokyo for a "fence repair summit," reports CNN. It would be the first such visit in  12 years. Both nations have sought to counter growing threats from North Korea amid growing concerns about China. Shortly before the visit, North Korea  fired a long-range ballistic missile into  waters off the east coast of the Korean peninsula, according to several media reports. 

 

 

 It should be noted that this would be the fourth  launch of an ICBM in less than a year.However, a high-level meeting between the two Yoon leaders and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would be a crucial step in repairing torn ties after decades of disagreement and distrust between the two key US allies in Asia. The visit could be a "milestone" in South Korea-Japan relations, Yoon's office said. 

 

 

 South Korea - Japan: Will they be able to overcome the differences? 

 This bilateral meeting between the two countries is of great importance because it can put an end to a 12-year rupture in relations. South Korea recently took a major step toward resolving a longstanding dispute that has pushed bilateral ties to an all-time low.Seoul  announced  it would "compensate victims of forced labor under Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945 through a public foundation funded by Korean private companies," CNN reported. This decision was welcomed by Japan. In addition, the US President welcomed the decision, saying it marked "a revolutionary new chapter in the collaboration and partnership between America's two  closest allies." 

 

 

 As restrictions increase, tensions between Japan and South Korea also increase, followed by  restrictions imposed by Japan on the export of materials used in memory chips to South Korea.Subsequently, during Moon Jae-In's presidency, South Korea broke an intelligence-sharing agreement with Tokyo. However, under Yoon, South Korea has sought to strengthen its ties with Tokyo, "even if that means reining back pressure from the domestic public over controversial and highly emotional issues like the compensation plan."