Lee Jae Myung calls Korea-Japan ‘inseparable’ in first talks with Ishiba

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Lee Jae Myung calls Korea-Japan ‘inseparable’ in first talks with Ishiba

Published: 18 Jun. 2025, 08:30 Updated: 18 Jun. 2025, 16:45

SARAH KIM
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

President Lee Jae Myung, right, sits with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for their first bilateral talks on the margins of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, on June 17. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

KANANASKIS, Canada — Korean President Lee Jae Myung called Seoul and Tokyo "inseparable" in his first bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the margins of the G7 summit in Canada Tuesday, stressing the necessity of cooperation amid global uncertainties.

"As the global trade environment and international relations are facing increasing difficulties, I believe that it will be of great help to both sides if Korea and Japan, who have a close and complementary relationship, cooperate in many areas," Lee said in the meeting as G7 leaders and invited guests gathered in Kananaskis.

In their 30-minute bilateral summit, which comes just two weeks after Lee took office, the two leaders focused on discussing ways to develop relations, in a more mature manner.

"The relationship between Korea and Japan is sometimes called a close but distant one," Lee said. "It is an inseparable relationship, like neighboring houses that share a front yard."

He said while the two countries may have some "minor differences in opinions," he hopes that "Korea and Japan will overcome those differences and develop a relationship in which they cooperate in many ways and are helpful to each other.""

"The two leaders emphasized the necessity of Korea-Japan cooperation in the current strategic environment, and called for creating a foundation for a more solid and mature Korea-Japan relationship on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations," Lee's office said in a statement.

They agreed to continue to hold active dialogue between related authorities "in order to develop Korea-Japan relations based on mutual respect and trust," according to the presidential office, and called for discussions to promote mutual national interests in various fields, including the economy and culture.

The two leaders exchanged in-depth opinions on ways to maintain peace and stability in the region and maximize national interests amid the rapidly changing international situation. They further called on the two countries in similar positions to seek closer cooperation.

They also agreed to maintain and develop cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan in order to respond to various geopolitical crises in the region, including the North Korean nuclear issue, Lee's office said.

President Lee Jae Myung, right, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in their first bilateral talks on the margins of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, on June 17. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Ishiba was the second foreign leader Lee held a phone call with after taking office, following U.S. President Donald Trump. In the first phone call on June 9, the two leaders reached a consensus to create a more solid and mature Seoul-Tokyo relationship.

Ishiba in their first meeting congratulated Lee on his inauguration as president.

"This year is a truly monumental year as it marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations," Ishiba said.

He said that "the international situation is becoming very serious," and said he sincerely hopes that the cooperation and collaboration between the two countries could be of more help to the region and the world on the occasion of the anniversary."

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to resuming shuttle diplomacy, referring to top-level exchanges, following their phone call last week, Lee's office said. Shuttle diplomacy was resumed by the two leaders' predecessors after a period of strained relations due to disputes over historical issues and a trade spat.

Regarding whether the two sides discussed historical disputes, a senior presidential official said that such issues were mentioned but not the focus of talks.

“There were comments that we should manage past issues well and develop cooperation to build a future-oriented relationship,” the official said.

The first bilateral summit between the new Korean president and Japanese prime minister comes earlier than previous such talks. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol met with then Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida briefly at the NATO summit in June 2022 a month after taking office, but the two leaders held their first bilateral summit in New York in September 2022 on the margins of the UN General Assembly four months after Yoon's inauguration.

Ahead of Lee's G7 trip, there had been speculation if there could also be a trilateral meeting with Trump. However, Trump made an early exit from the G7 summit Monday night amid the escalating Iran-Israel conflict.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said in a press briefing Tuesday night that the two leaders "agreed that cooperation between South Korea and Japan, longtime neighbors, is important amid the turbulent international situation" and also exchanged opinions on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]