"Japan needs to promote cooperation with the new (Korean) government in various areas," Kishida said.

With the court ruling, Park must step down immediately and an election to fill the void should be held within two months. Experts expect the election to take place on May 9. 

Diplomatic friction between the two neighbors has been deepening over a recently erected statue of a "comfort woman." The statue symbolizing the hardships of Korean women whom Japan forced into sexual slavery during World War II was set up in front of the Japanese consulate in Busan. In protest, Japan called its top envoy back home, and he has yet to return to his job in Seoul.

As for when its ambassador will return to Korea, Kishida was quoted as saying that it has not been decided yet.
(Yonhap)