고노 다로 日 방위상 "한국 국방장관 회담 희망..소통할 것"
Newly appointed Japanese defense minister Taro Kono said he wishes to meet with his South Korean counterpart Jeong Kyeong-doo.
Minister Kono said in an interview with a local outlet that bilateral cooperation is important to counter threats from North Korea. He also expressed discontent with South Korea's top court's decision that ordered Japanese companies to compensate victims of Tokyo's wartime forced labor, as it came in a time when bilateral ties could have taken a leap.