President Lee Jae-myung held a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on the 30th, who visited South Korea to attend the APEC Summit. The meeting lasted from 6:02 PM to 6:43 PM.
The two leaders exchanged views on the direction for developing bilateral relations and also discussed regional affairs.
President Lee reiterated his congratulations on Prime Minister Takaichi’s inauguration and welcomed her visit to Korea just over a week after taking office.
He also stated, “Just as Korea-Japan relations have developed based on trust and communication between our leaders, I hope that starting with this first summit with Prime Minister Takaichi, we will cooperate at all levels to build a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship with Japan’s new cabinet.”
The two leaders agreed that practical cooperation tangible to the people of both nations must continue to expand. They pledged to strive for further development of Korea-Japan cooperation across various fields—including cutting-edge technology, economic security, and society/culture—based on active exchanges such as shuttle diplomacy between the leaders.
President Lee stated, “Korea and Japan are like neighbors sharing a front yard,” adding, “While we must face issues where our positions differ as they are, I expect more proactive communication and cooperation on matters requiring future-oriented collaboration.”
The two leaders agreed to continue shuttle diplomacy, meeting and communicating frequently, starting with this meeting on the occasion of the Gyeongju APEC Summit.
Meanwhile, in his opening remarks at the summit, President Lee stated, “Amidst the rapidly changing international situation and trade environment, Korea and Japan are neighboring countries with truly many commonalities.” He added, “Therefore, I believe now is the time more than ever for Korea and Japan to strengthen future-oriented cooperation.”
He continued, “Japan and Korea also share many commonalities domestically,” adding, “By sharing our experiences and cooperating, I believe we can successfully resolve not only these domestic issues but also international challenges.”
Prime Minister Takaichi stated, “Japan and Korea are important neighbors to each other,” adding, “Under the current strategic environment, the importance of Japan-Korea relations and Japan-Korea-U.S. coordination is growing even more.”
He emphasized, “This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-South Korea diplomatic relations, a significant milestone. I am confident that building on the foundation of Japan-South Korea relations established over the years to develop our bilateral relationship in a future-oriented and stable manner will be beneficial for both countries.”
Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong briefed reporters on the private summit between the leaders, stating, “In response to Prime Minister Takaichi’s expression of hope for broad relations between Korea and Japan in security, economy, and society, President Lee shared his agreement on the importance of Korea-Japan relations and stressed the high necessity for mutual reliance and cooperation.”
She added, “President Lee remarked that because Korea and Japan are neighbors sharing a front yard, they are so close that they can sometimes hurt each other emotionally like family members, and Prime Minister Takaichi expressed strong agreement with this sentiment.”
It further stated, “President Lee expressed his hope that Koreans would become happier during his term, and that Japanese people would become happier during Prime Minister Takaichi’s term. Prime Minister Takaichi agreed with President Lee’s remarks.”
Spokesperson Kang conveyed, “President Lee stated that according to the shuttle diplomacy schedule, it is now South Korea’s turn to visit Japan, and expressed his wish to meet in a regional city rather than the capital Tokyo.” Prime Minister Takaichi responded that she also looks forward to meeting President Lee soon.
Meanwhile, prior to his meeting with Prime Minister Takaichi, President Lee held summit meetings with the leaders of Canada in the morning, followed by New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia in the afternoon.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
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