Key facts
- Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrived in Seoul on Saturday.
- Koizumi is meeting with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back.
- The visit aims to enhance defense cooperation and exchanges between the two nations.
- A key discussion point is the refueling support for South Korea's Black Eagles aerobatic team.
- The ministers previously met in Singapore less than a month ago.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrived in Seoul on Saturday for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening defense ties with South Korea. His trip reciprocates a January visit by South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back to Japan and comes amid a positive trajectory in bilateral relations.
Koizumi began his visit by paying respects at the Seoul National Cemetery. Later, he and Ahn were scheduled to visit an Air Force base in Wonju, home to South Korea's Black Eagles aerobatic team. This visit is significant as Japan had previously rejected a request for refueling support for the team's aircraft due to territorial disputes over islets.