Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan agree to pursue future-oriented ties amid radar spat

SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Yonhap) — The top diplomats of South Korea and Japan agreed to pursue the “future-oriented” development of bilateral relations during their phone conversation Friday, Seoul’s foreign ministry said amid an escalating spat involving military radar.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, discussed growing tensions over the row and South Korea’s Supreme Court rulings last year in favor of South Koreans forced into hard labor by Japanese firms during Tokyo’s 1910-45 colonial rule.

“Regarding the radar issue, the two ministers shared the understanding that South Korea and Japan need to address their differences through consultations between their military authorities,” the ministry said in a press release.

“The ministers agreed to work together for the future-oriented development of bilateral ties through continued close communication this year as well,” it added.

According to Kyodo News, Kono told reporters that he and Kang shared the view that the defense authorities need to discuss the radar issue “based on facts” and resolve it “at the earliest possible date.”

Seoul and Tokyo have traded tough accusations against each other, after the latter raised allegations that a South Korean destroyer directed fire-control radar at a Japanese patrol aircraft on Dec. 20.

Seoul rejected the allegations, saying the warship did not target the plane of the partner country and that it was then focused on a “normal” humanitarian mission to rescue a North Korean ship in distress in the international waters of the East Sea.