日韓関係改善の「認識共有」　茂木外相

　英ロンドンに滞在中の茂木敏充外相は５日午後（日本時間６日未明）、オンラインで記者会見し、１年３カ月ぶりの日韓外相会談が実現したことに関し、「日韓関係をこのままにしてはいけないという認識を共有できた」と語った。「健全な関係に戻すため、外交当局間の意思疎通を維持する」とも述べ、対話継続の意向を示した。
　会談では元徴用工問題や慰安婦問題をめぐり平行線をたどった。茂木氏は「引き続き韓国側の適切な対応を強く求めていきたい」とし、日本側が受け入れ可能な解決策を韓国政府が示すべきだと指摘した。（2021/05/06-10:01）

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and his South Korean counterpart, Chung Eui-yong, shared the recognition during their meeting Wednesday that the relationship between their countries should not be left as it stands, Motegi said the same day.
   "Diplomatic officials of our countries will stay in communication to restore a healthy bilateral relationship," Motegi told an online press conference, showing Japan's intention to continue to have dialogues with South Korea.
   Motegi and Chung held talks in London for some 20 minutes. The two countries' foreign ministers met in person for the first time since February 2020.
   At Wednesday's meeting, Motegi and Chung remained at odds over issues of Koreans requisitioned to work for Japanese companies during World War II and of Korean "comfort women," who were forced into prostitution for Japanese troops before and during the war.
   "We will keep calling on South Korea strongly to take appropriate measures" over the wartime issues, Motegi said, claiming that South Korea should present solutions that Japan can find acceptable.