Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Lee, Ishiba pledge closer Korea-Japan cooperation in 1st summit talk
President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the G7 Summit venue in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, Tuesday (local time). Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
CALGARY, Canada — President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation on key issues, in their first-ever summit meeting at the G7 Summit venue in Kananaskis, Alberta, Tuesday (local time).
The two leaders agreed to resume visits to each other's countries frequently for a closer relationship.
The meeting between the two leaders took place just 14 days after Lee's inauguration on June 4.
During their summit talk, Lee noted their previous communication by phone and expressed his pleasure at meeting the prime minister in person.
“In our country, Japan and Korea are often described as ‘close but distant neighbors.’ Like neighbors sharing the same yard, we cannot separate from one another. Although there are small differences and disagreements, I hope Korea and Japan will overcome these to develop a relationship based on mutual cooperation and support,” Lee said.
“Given the increasing challenges in the international trade environment and global affairs, it is even more important for Korea and Japan, as close and complementary partners, to collaborate in many areas. I look forward to today’s meeting being a step toward a more future-oriented and improved relationship between our two countries," the president added.
President Lee Jae Myung talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the G7 Summit venue in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, Tuesday (local time). Yonhap
In response, Ishiba emphasized the significance of this year as the 60th anniversary of Korea–Japan diplomatic ties being normalized. He expressed gratitude for a reception held in Seoul earlier this week to commemorate the anniversary and highlighted the importance of deepening exchanges.
“I sincerely hope that, with the 60th anniversary as a milestone, exchanges among governments, businesses and citizens will increase and that cooperation and partnership between Korea and Japan will grow stronger to benefit our region and the world,” Ishiba said, according to Korea's presidential office.
He also underscored the need for close collaboration amid increasingly complex international circumstances.
During their 30-minute meeting, the two leaders agreed to continue active dialogue between their governments to further develop Korea–Japan relations based on mutual respect and trust. They reaffirmed their willingness to resume visits to each other's countries.
"The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on ways to maintain regional peace and stability and maximize national interests amid rapidly changing international circumstances. They agreed that the two countries, which share similar positions, should seek closer cooperation," the Korean presidential office said.
"They also agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan in addressing regional geopolitical challenges, including the North Korea issue, and to deepen bilateral cooperation between Korea and Japan."
Lee's talks with Ishiba on Tuesday and his stance on Japan in recent months marked a shift from his earlier, rather hardline stance against the neighboring country.
When the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration sought close relations with Japan in line with the trilateral cooperation involving the U.S., Lee criticized Yoon for being "submissive" to Japan and avoiding to resolve historical disputes.
An official from the presidential office said the leaders agreed on moving forward while continuing to discuss the past issues. "It doesn't mean [the Korean government] will ignore the historical disputes. While discussing the past issues, we plan to manage them so that the past conflicts will not damage the current and future cooperation," the official said.