South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has arrived in Japan. He will meet with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio later on Thursday.
Yoon is making his first visit to Japan since taking office in May last year. He arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport with his wife, Kim Keon-hee, at around 11:30 a.m.
In his summit talks with Kishida, Yoon is expected to say that Seoul will work to improve bilateral relations amid an increasingly severe security environment, as North Korea accelerates its nuclear and missile development. Pyongyang fired a ballistic missile just hours before Yoon's departure for Japan.
The South Korean government hopes to resume mutual visits by the Japanese and South Korean leaders. Seoul also believes a better relationship will contribute to strengthening collaboration among Japan, the United States and South Korea.
Yoon is also expected to explain Seoul's plan to settle the long-pending wartime labor issue with Japan.
Yoon and Kishida will also have dinner to deepen their mutual trust.