Japan says watching South Korean situation with grave concern

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that Japan is carefully watching the situation in South Korea, following the temporary declaration of martial law, with "particular and grave" concerns, Report informs via Kyodo News.

Ishiba, who has been considering a visit to South Korea next month for a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol, told reporters, "nothing specific has been determined" about his trip.

Japan's relations with South Korea, long fraught with difficulties stemming from Japan's wartime aggression and territorial disputes, have thawed since Yoon took office in 2022 as he has sought to improve ties by taking a forward-looking approach.

"We have been monitoring (developments) since the overnight declaration of martial law with particular and grave concerns," Ishiba told reporters, adding that he is not in a position to comment on South Korea's domestic affairs.

"We will do our utmost to ensure the safety of Japanese people in South Korea," he said.

Yoon, recently facing sluggish public approval ratings, abruptly declared martial law late on Tuesday to rein in what he described as "anti-state" activities, sending shockwaves through the nation and beyond.

While the declaration was lifted hours later, Yoon's move still drew immediate criticism from lawmakers and locals, who viewed it as anti-democratic and triggered calls for his resignation.

Ishiba, who took over from Fumio Kishida as prime minister in October, has stressed the importance of maintaining momentum toward improved ties between the key US allies in East Asia.

As next year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties, Ishiba has been considering making a trip to South Korea in early January to sit down with Yoon, diplomatic sources said earlier.

"Depending on how the situation unfolds, it may impact (the trip plan)," a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.

Three-way cooperation with the United States has become all the more important due to North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Yoon has taken a tougher stance on Pyongyang than his predecessor.

"Defense cooperation with South Korea as well as coordination among Japan, South Korea and the United States are extremely important for our country's security," Defense Minister Gen Nakatani separately told reporters.