By Publisher-Chairman Lee Jon-Young, Editor Andy Hyun

President Lee Jae-Myung of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan held a Summit Meeting in Nara Prefecture, Japan, on January 13-14 and agreed to maintain stable relations between Korea and Japan as well as expand substantive cooperation. 

This meeting signifies the complete normalization of shuttle diplomacy between the leaders of Korea and Japan after President Lee resumed the practice with a visit to Japan last August. National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lak stated in a briefing in Seoul on January 14, "The two leaders held a small-scale one-on-one meeting and an expanded meeting for approximately 100 minutes starting at 2:00 PM yesterday (Jan. 13), followed by further discussions and a dinner, where they engaged in candid and in-depth discussions." 

Director Wi added, "This morning, the two leaders visited Horyuji Buddhist Temple—a symbol of the history of exchange between the ancient Korean Peninsula and Japan that dates back 1500 year—and deepened the friendship between Korea and Japan."

The summit in Nara took place less than three months after Prime Minister Takaichi visited Korea in October of last year to attend the APEC Summit. The two later met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in November. This summit marks the third meeting between President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi. “Building upon the already established mutual desire to develop Korea-Japan relations, the focus this time was on candidly discussing specific measures to deepen cooperation and expand their scope,” Director Wi explained.

The official schedule began in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Prime Minister Takaichi, who arrived in Nara first, showed special hospitality by personally greeting President Lee in front of the JW Marriott Hotel, the lodging for both leaders. In a subsequent one-on-one meeting, the two leaders assessed the future-oriented development of Korea-Japan relations, marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, and exchanged broad views on the rapidly evolving international situation and regional security environment.

The expanded meeting focused on expanding substantive cooperation in areas directly related to people's livelihoods, including economic, social, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges. They agreed to produce tangible results in areas such as supply chains, high-tech industries, youth exchanges, and tourism and cultural cooperation. They also engaged in earnest discussions to find common ground on some sensitive issues, building on mutual understanding.

The Korean government plans to use this summit as an opportunity to further institutionalize high-level communication between Korea and Japan and to translate agreements into concrete outcomes through working-level consultations. Director Wi stated, "This meeting confirmed the stable establishment of Korea-Japan shuttle diplomacy and marked a turning point for enhancing the viability of future cooperation."