The South Korean government said Wednesday it has agreed with Japan to resume flights next week between the two countries' capitals, suspended for more than two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The route between Seoul's Gimpo airport and Tokyo's Haneda airport will reopen on June 29, with four airlines -- Korean Air and Asiana Airlines of South Korea and Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways -- operating a total of eight round trips a week, the transport ministry said, adding the number of flights will be increased from July, depending on demand.

Both airports are close to their respective city centers. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who advocates improving ties between the two countries after years of frictions over wartime issues, had shown his willingness to resume the flights to promote exchanges between the peoples of the Asian neighbors.

South Korea has also resumed issuing visas to foreign tourists while hoping to help boost the number of tourists from Japan.

==Kyodo

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