South Korea's new Foreign Minister Park Jin pledged Thursday to build a future-oriented relationship with Japan while underlining the new administration's plan to diversify Seoul's diplomacy with other countries.
Park, who became the nation's top diplomat under newly elected President Yoon Suk Yeol, said he expects Seoul and Tokyo to find solutions to issues of history that are acceptable to both sides.
"With Japan, I will build a future-oriented partnership while facing the history," Park said. "Despite pending issues, I expect to find solutions (to issues of history) that are acceptable to both countries' people."
Regarding North Korea policy, Park expressed concern about mounting threats from Pyongyang's continuous missile tests.
He hinted that seeking ways to boost deterrence will be one of the important agenda items when Yoon meets U.S. President Joe Biden on May 20 in Seoul.
Biden is scheduled to travel to South Korea and Japan later this month for talks with Yoon and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, respectively.
Park, however, said he would keep the door open for dialogue with North Korea as part of efforts to establish sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula.
"(I) will actively push for economic support to North Korea as well as economic cooperation if North Korea makes practical moves for denuclearization," Park added.
Pyongyang launched another ballistic missile late Thursday, marking another round of missile tests in five days.
Park also stressed his willingness to strengthen the strategic alliance with the United States, upon which he vowed to cooperate with the international society to achieve denuclearization.
