Japan and South Korea Sign Agreement on Emergency Evacuation
Japan and South Korea have signed an agreement to work together when evacuating their citizens from third countries during emergencies. This marks a significant step forward in the relationship between the two countries, which has seen a dramatic improvement under the administrations of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The agreement, signed on September 6th, 2023, is the first of its kind for Japan with another country. It pledges that Japan and South Korea will share information through consultations of senior government officials roughly once a year, even in peacetime. This will allow for closer cooperation when the situation in a third country worsens to the point where citizens need to be evacuated.
The signing of this agreement comes as Japan-South Korea relations are at their best in years. The two leaders have met in person 12 times since Yoon's election in 2022, and they have agreed to continue strengthening cooperation and exchanges. They are also considering making it easier for citizens of each country to enter the other.
This improved relationship is a welcome development, as the two countries are important partners in the region. They face shared challenges, such as the military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, and they are committed to strengthening their bilateral cooperation as well as their partnership with the United States.