By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

Seoul City Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Ambassador Koichi Mizushima of Japan to South Korea at the Mayor's Office in Seoul City Hall to discuss future bilateral exchanges on Aug. 12.

Ambassador Koichi Mizushima served as the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Korea from 2017-2019 and was appointed Ambassador of Japan to Korea in May. After his official appointment, he said, "For Japan, Korea is a partner in solving international tasks.”

Seoul and Tokyo signed a friendly city agreement in 1988 and Seoul signed a friendly city agreement with Hokkaido in 2010, and have continued exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including policy visits and participation in mutually organized international conferences and events.

"In the atmosphere of progress in diplomatic relations between Korea, China, and Japan, I look forward to the restoration of relations and active exchanges between the three cities of Seoul, Tokyo, and Beijing," said Mayor Oh. 

"I hope that the mayors of the three cities can meet together with the will to revitalize exchanges between the capitals of Seoul, Tokyo, and Beijing, as they did 10 years ago." He also asked Ambassador Mizushima to serve as a bridge for such intercity cooperation and exchange.

He also extended an invitation to Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other Japanese companies to participate in Seoul Smart Life Week in October to share cutting-edge technologies that can improve the lives of citizens.

Ambassador Koichi Mizushima said, "Japan and South Korea are currently moving forward with good relations, and I hope that Seoul's efforts will lead to more exchanges between Seoul, Tokyo, and Beijing," adding, "More exchanges between countries and cities will help strengthen people-to-people relations." He added that he would convey the invitation to Seoul Smart Life Week to Tokyo.