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.
Japan PM to visit Lee’s hometown in reciprocal trip
President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands after delivering a joint Korea-Japan press statement at the summit venue in Nara Prefecture in Japan, Jan. 13. Newsis
By Anna J. Park
Leaders set to discuss global issues, including Middle East situation
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, from May 19-20 at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung, Cheong Wa Dae announced Friday, in what marks the first reciprocal hometown visits between the leaders of Korea and Japan.
The trip comes four months after Lee visited Nara, Japan — Takaichi’s hometown — in January. Takaichi’s visit to Andong, Lee’s hometown, is being seen as a symbolic gesture reflecting the growing personal rapport between the two leaders and the strengthening of Korea-Japan bilateral ties.
During the two-day visit, the two leaders are scheduled to hold both small-group and expanded summit talks on May 19, followed by a joint press announcement and an official dinner. They are also expected to take part in separate friendship and cultural programs together.
"At the summit, the two leaders will engage in broad discussions on the future direction of Korea-Japan relations and seek to strengthen practical cooperation in areas directly affecting the livelihoods of the two countries’ citizens, including the economy, society and public safety," Kang Yu-jung, presidential spokesperson, said in a statement.
"The leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues, including developments in the Middle East."
Cheong Wa Dae also expects the reciprocal visits, extending beyond the two countries’ capitals to regional cities such as Gyeongju, Nara and now Andong, would deepen personal trust and solidarity between the two leaders while further strengthening the foundation for future-oriented ties between Korea and Japan.