The governments of South Korea and Japan are set to hold vice-ministerial talks early next month to discuss schedules for shuttle diplomacy between the leaders of the two countries, Kyodo News reported on the 30th.

According to the report, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yoon-ju and Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi will hold a meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, early next month.

The upcoming talks are expected to focus on coordinating the timing for the next summit under the leaders' shuttle diplomacy framework, as well as cooperation on North Korean issues, sources said.

Regarding shuttle diplomacy, following the summit held in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, in May, Prime Minister Takaichi previously mentioned a local hot spring city in Japan as the venue for the next summit.

Accordingly, the two governments are currently coordinating the specific timing and location.

Responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile development are also projected to be on the agenda for these vice-ministerial consultations.

Kyodo reported that the two sides plan to emphasize trilateral solidarity among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, share assessments regarding the situation in North Korea, and reaffirm security cooperation.

(Photo: Provided by the Cheong Wa Dae, Yonhap News)