Why Lee chose Andong to host Japan PM

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae watch a "Seonyu Julbul Nori" traditional fireworks performance at Hahoe Folk Village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Yonhap

The decision to hold Tuesday's Korea-Japan summit outside of Seoul and instead in the southeastern city of Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, was no logistical coincidence.

From the venue and cultural program to the menu and gifts exchanged, nearly every element of the summit was designed to showcase Korea’s traditional heritage and frame the meeting through culture as much as diplomacy.

Andong, President Lee Jae Myung’s hometown, is widely regarded as one of Korea’s most traditional cities. Home to the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Hahoe Folk Village, Confucian academies and centuries-old clan houses, it has long been considered a custodian of Korea's cultural spirit.

That symbolism was central to this week’s summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The visit also carried personal significance. It came as a return visit after Lee traveled to Nara Prefecture — Takaichi’s hometown and political base — in January.

The presidential office described the exchange as the first realization of “mutual hometown visits” between the two leaders, adding a personal dimension to the two countries’ long-running shuttle diplomacy.

Some observers have described the approach as a step beyond conventional summit diplomacy — shifting from meetings in capitals and neutral venues toward what officials have called “hometown diplomacy.”

The presidential office, Tuesday, unveiled gifts prepared by President Lee Jae Myung for visiting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her spouse. The gifts for Takaichi included a framed display of nine traditional Hahoetal masks symbolizing harmony and Andong’s local identity, top; a moon jar artwork expressing hopes for stronger bilateral ties; below left; and a hanji-leather bag inspired by traditional paper items exchanged during the Joseon Tongsinsa missions, below center. Her spouse, former House of Representatives member Taku Yamamoto, received a snowflake-patterned ceramic set reflecting the winter scenery and atmosphere of his hometown, Fukui Prefecture, below right. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

After the official talks and dinner, the two leaders were scheduled to move to Hahoe Folk Village to watch "Seonyu Julbul Nori," a traditional Korean fireworks display, dating back to the mid-Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

The event, once enjoyed by local Confucian scholars, sends streams of sparks across the Nakdong River by suspending charcoal-filled bundles along ropes stretching from Buyongdae Cliff to the pine forest of Mansongjeong.

The program also includes “Nakhwa,” in which burning pine branches are dropped from the cliffside, creating cascading trails of fire.

A new pansori piece titled “Like Scattered Sparks” was also prepared, blending motifs from "Jeokbyeokga" with a poetry inspired by the fire festival.

The dinner centered on Andong cuisine while weaving in subtle Japanese influences.

This photo shows the dinner menu for President Lee Jae Myung’s summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. The menu features fusion Korean cuisine inspired by Suun Japbang, a historic cookbook from Andong clan households, along with local traditional liquors including Taesaju and Andong soju, as well as sake from Nara Prefecture. Jeongyea, a chicken dish traditionally served to honored guests, was also included in the dinner menu. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

The opening course paired soft tofu and black soybean sauce made from Andong-grown seoritae (black soybeans) with burdock chips — a common ingredient in Nara cuisine — reflecting culinary traditions shared by both countries.

One of the centerpieces was Jeongyea, a braised chicken dish regarded as the predecessor to modern Andong jjimdak. Unlike other regional versions of jjimdak, Andong-style jjimdak is known for its soy-based braising method, a style believed to have evolved from Jeongyea.

The dish, made by braising chicken in soy sauce with ingredients such as sesame oil, rice wine and honey, is recorded in "Suunjapbang" (A Selection of Culinary Recipes), one of Korea’s oldest cookbooks and a designated Treasure, written by scholars Kim Yu and Kim Ryeong in the mid-16th century.

According to the book, the dish was traditionally reserved for special guests, making it a fitting choice for the summit dinner.

The menu was overseen by Kim Do-eun, head mistress of the Seolwoldang clan house of the Gwangsan Kim family, who said she aimed to offer "the best possible welcome in Andong" and prepared each course with care so guests would "leave with good memories of the food."

Other courses carried their own bilateral symbolism. One course paired grilled tilefish with a sauce mixing Korean doenjang (fermented soybean paste) and Japanese miso, bringing together flavors familiar to both sides.

For dessert, Korean "jeonyak," a traditional jelly-like confection, was served alongside Japanese mochi on a single plate.

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi exchange greetings before their summit meeting at a hotel in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. The summit was held as part of Takaichi’s visit to Lee’s hometown city. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

The gifts prepared for Takaichi followed the same theme.

Lee presented a framed wooden display of nine traditional "Hahoetal" masks symbolizing harmony, alongside a set of gifts featuring red ginseng and a hanji-leather bag inspired by Joseon Tongsinsa, the diplomatic missions that once traveled between Korea and Japan.

A framed white porcelain moon jar motif was also included, reflecting the moon’s shared symbolism as an object of hope in both cultures.

Local residents also prepared welcome gifts, including Andong hemp bedding and miniature "jangseung" (guardian totems).