Ishiba, Japanese Prime Minister, to visit South Korea soon ahead of resignation… Korea-Japan summit likely in Busan

Shigeru Ishiba, Japan's Prime Minister (photo), who is due to step down early next month, is reported to be likely to visit South Korea soon and hold a summit with President Lee Jae-myung.

A Foreign Ministry official said on the 25th, "We are coordinating with the other side on Ishiba's late-September visit to South Korea," and added, "We will inform you as soon as the specific schedule and venue and other details are finalized."

Ishiba is reportedly pursuing a plan to visit Busan for a two-day schedule starting on the 30th. This is also in response to President Lee's proposal during his visit to Japan on the 23rd–24th of last month. At the time, the president said, "I hope shuttle diplomacy will take root as a new model of Korea-Japan diplomacy," and "I would prefer to meet not in Seoul but in a region of the Republic of Korea," he proposed.

Ishiba has already expressed his intention to step down as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and a new party president is scheduled to be elected on the 4th of next month, so if this visit takes place it is expected to be his last foreign visit as prime minister.

Ahn Hye-won, Hankyung.com reporter anhw@hankyung.com