Japan and South Korea may discuss currency swap deal but caution lingers

Japan and South Korea may soon discuss the possibility of reviving a bilateral currency swap arrangement that expired years ago, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said Friday, though some officials were cautious over the chances for a deal.

The currency swap could be on the agenda when Suzuki meets his South Korean counterpart Choo Kyung-ho for a bilateral finance dialogue that is expected to be held in Tokyo later this month, though the date has still to be finalized.

“It could include a Japan-South Korea currency swap arrangement,” Suzuki said. “That’s all I can say at the moment, as we are making final arrangements toward June 29.”