Seoul denies news report on possible Yoon-Kishida summit

President Yoon Suk Yeol shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a summit at the latter's residence in Tokyo, March 16, 2023. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon

By Lee Hyo-jin

• Published Feb 14, 2024 4:40 PM KST
• Updated Feb 14, 2024 5:04 PM KST

The presidential office said Wednesday that there are currently no ongoing discussions regarding Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to Korea, denying a Japanese media report suggesting that President Yoon Suk Yeol might meet Kishida in Seoul next month.

"No relevant actions are currently underway," a presidential official told reporters during a closed-door briefing, in response to a query on Kishida's potential visit.

Earlier in the day, Japan's Fuji News Network reported that Kishida is considering visiting Korea on March 20 for a summit with Yoon, during which the two sides may discuss pending issues, including North Korea.

According to the report, Japan has proposed the visit to showcase close bilateral ties, offering support to Yoon in the lead-up to the April 10 parliamentary elections.

The report also mentioned that Kishida's visit, if realized, will coincide with Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, leading to speculation that the two leaders may watch the game together.

Kishida last visited Korea on May 8, 2023, after the two nations resumed regular visits between leaders following improved bilateral relations. The two leaders met again later that month in Japan's Hiroshima on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit.

In March that year, Yoon visited Tokyo for a summit with the Japanese leader, becoming the first Korean president to travel to Tokyo for a summit in 12 years. Yoon's trip marked a significant milestone in bilateral ties that had been strained in recent years due to historical grievances.