Japanese media reports said Kishida wanted to see Yoon and tell him that warmer ties would continue under the next administration.
“Prime Minister Kishida, anticipating his resignation, eagerly sought to visit South Korea to discuss the future direction of development between the two countries,” the Presidential Office in Seoul said.
“The two sides will reflect on the achievements of South Korea-Japan cooperation,” it said, and will “discuss the future direction of Korea-Japan cooperation, regional cooperation and global cooperation”.
It said Kishida “expects to continue to give constructive advice on the foreign policy of the successor”.
Kishida and Yoon met at a trilateral summit with China in May, with Yoon saying that trust and exchanges had “dramatically increased over the past year”, pointing to booming bilateral tourism.
Yoon said last week he had held 11 summits with Kishida to discuss issues including nuclear-armed North Korea.
“I would like to say that no matter which leader is in charge of state affairs, cooperation and synergy for the future between Korea and Japan will be maintained,” Yoon said.
