Lee "Let's pursue future-oriented cooperation"…Takaichi "Korea-US-Japan coordination is becoming more important"

President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi hold 41-minute summit

Korea-Japan "Let's continue shuttle diplomacy"

Lee "Korea and Japan are emotionally hurt

Problems and tasks should be resolved separately"

Reaffirmation of two-track approach: past issues and future cooperation

Takaichi mentions 60 years of diplomatic relations

"Korea is an important neighbor … let's communicate"

President Lee Jae-myung held his first summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the 30th. At their first face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the Gyeongju Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting, the two leaders agreed to develop bilateral relations in a future-oriented way.

President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi held a summit at the Hwabaek Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province from 6:02 p.m. for 41 minutes. Prime Minister Takaichi visited Korea nine days after taking office on the 21st. President Lee told Prime Minister Takaichi, "I heard that at your inauguration press conference last week you said, 'Korea is a very important neighbor to Japan, and the importance of Korea-Japan relations is growing. I want to develop Korea-Japan relations in a future-oriented and stable way,'" and added, "I fully agree." When President Lee said, "Surprisingly, it's exactly the same as what I usually say, not a single word different," the attendees burst into laughter.

President Lee said, "Amid the rapidly changing international situation and trade environment, Korea and Japan are neighboring countries with many things in common," and added, "This is a time when the two countries should strengthen future-oriented cooperation more than ever." He emphasized the need for Korea-Japan cooperation amid growing uncertainty in the global trade environment due to US-led trade pressure and rapidly changing regional security dynamics such as closer North Korea-Russia and North Korea-China ties.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung conveyed that President Lee said, "Because Korea and Japan share a front yard and are so close, they sometimes get emotionally hurt like family." This remark was interpreted as referencing Prime Minister Takaichi's past political actions, given she is described as an 'Abe successor' and classified as a hardline right-wing politician in Japan. President Lee reaffirmed the existing 'past issues–future cooperation two-track' stance, saying, "Problems should be solved as problems, and tasks should be addressed as tasks."

Prime Minister Takaichi responded, "Japan and Korea are important neighbors to each other." She said, "Under the current strategic environment, the importance of Japan-Korea relations and Japan-Korea-US coordination is increasing." Prime Minister Takaichi noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization and said, "I am convinced that it would be beneficial for both countries to develop bilateral relations in a future-oriented and stable manner based on the foundation of the Japan-Korea relationship built over time."

The two leaders also agreed to continue "shuttle diplomacy." Prime Minister Takaichi said, "I hope we can communicate well between you and me while effectively utilizing shuttle diplomacy." President Lee explained to Prime Minister Takaichi that, according to the shuttle diplomacy sequence, it would be Korea's turn next to visit Japan and said, "I hope to meet in a regional city, not in the capital Tokyo."

Spokesperson Kang said, "Considering Prime Minister Takaichi's preferences—she likes Korean seaweed and uses Korean cosmetics—President Lee gifted her Korean cosmetics and seaweed, and Prime Minister Takaichi presented President Lee with Go stones and a Go case made in Kamakura City, which is twinned with President Lee's hometown, Andong, North Gyeongsang Province."

Choi Eun-mi, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said, "Prime Minister Takaichi seems to have focused on building a friendly image because she is well aware of the concerned views in Korea about her."

Gyeongju=Reporter Kim Hyung-gyu / Tokyo=Correspondent Kim Il-gyu khk@hankyung.com