"Japan and South Korea navigate turning point in economic and diplomatic relations"

South Korea's finance minister, Choo Kyung-ho, has said that the country is at a "turning point" in economic relations with Japan, following Tokyo's decision to restore South Korea to a list of preferred trade partners. The two countries recently held their first bilateral finance ministerial meeting in seven years, agreeing to resume regular talks "at an appropriate timing." Choo said the recent talks with his Japanese counterpart will lead to further economic cooperation between the two US allies, particularly in high-tech industries such as semiconductors.