Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As
(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question about the general election in the Republic of Korea (ROK). It appears that the ruling party lost a substantial number of seats and is likely to slip below a majority. President Park Geun-hye’s administration will be facing tough policymaking conditions as a result. Please explain the Japanese Government’s thoughts on this development.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to refrain from commenting on election results because this is an internal matter for the ROK. Nevertheless, I believe a common awareness of the importance of the Japan-ROK relationship exists in the ROK’s ruling and opposition parties. Japan intends to continue to advance the Japan-ROK relationship by deepening cooperation between Japan and the ROK at a variety of levels.

REPORTER: This is a related question. Some observers are suggesting that the decline in President Park’s influence might prevent the ROK Government from carrying through as promised with the agreement reached between Japan and the ROK on the comfort women issue at the end of 2015. What is your view of this possibility?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think taking responsibility to ensure implementation of the agreement from the end of last year by Japan and the ROK is very important for the advancement of the relationship between our two countries.

REPORTER: This is a related question. Do you think there could be some type of impact on the agreement between Japan and the ROK depending on the situation in the ROK’s National Assembly?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I do not expect this to happen. I believe that Japan and the ROK taking responsibility in ensuring implementation of the agreement is very important for the two countries.

REPORTER: This is related. President Park has taken a strong stance in response to North Korea and approached the situation jointly with Japan. What is your view of a possible impact on security policy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: President Park is still in office and I do not expect any change in the President’s views.

(Abridged)