Nara: President Lee Jae Myung emphasized to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that cooperation between South Korea and Japan is more crucial than ever due to the current complex and unstable international environment. Lee's remarks were made at the commencement of summit talks with Takaichi, urging the two countries to overcome historical grievances stemming from Japan's occupation of the Korean Peninsula and to work towards a promising future.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the summit with Takaichi followed Lee's earlier discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. These meetings occur against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Beijing and Tokyo, particularly following Takaichi's statements regarding Taiwan. Lee underscored the importance of the 60-year-old diplomatic relationship between South Korea and Japan, expressing optimism for its continued development over the next several decades.
Prime Minister Takaichi echoed Lee's sentiments, pledging to collaborate closely with him to enhance regional stability. She expressed confidence that Lee's visit would further strengthen the ties between Seoul and Tokyo. President Lee's visit to Nara is part of a two-day reciprocal leader-level engagement, known as "shuttle diplomacy," aimed at maintaining the positive trajectory in bilateral relations.
The leaders previously engaged in summit talks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju in late October and had a brief meeting during the Group of 20 leaders' summit in South Africa in November.