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On September 24, 2020, the Prime Minister spoke to the press at the Prime Minister’s Office.

"I just held a telephone talk with President Moon of the Republic of Korea (ROK). President Moon expressed his congratulations on my appointment as the Prime Minister. I said to him that we would work together to address various issues, including the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). I believe that Japan and the ROK are extremely important neighbors to each other. I also believe that collaboration between Japan as well as the ROK and among Japan, the United States and the ROK are important, in particular in addressing the issues concerning North Korea.

I conveyed to President Moon that we must not leave our very severe bilateral relations as they are, including the issue of former civilian workers from the Korean Peninsula.

Following today's talk, I intend to continue to urge the ROK to respond in an appropriate manner, based on Japan's consistent positions on various issues."

Responding to a question from a reporter, the Prime Minister said,

"That was what I just mentioned and, since it is a diplomatic issue, I will refrain from going further."