SEOUL – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba issued their countries’ first joint statement in 17 years on Saturday, pledging to build “future-oriented ties” and revive shuttle diplomacy.
During their two-hour summit in Tokyo, the leaders agreed to set up consultative groups on shared challenges such as demographic decline and regional economic slowdown. They also vowed to expand cooperation in hydrogen, ammonia, and artificial intelligence, as well as broaden their bilateral “working holiday” program.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea’s complete denuclearization and stronger trilateral coordination with the United States. Ishiba welcomed Lee’s visit as a significant gesture, while Lee emphasized the need to “correct unnecessary conflicts” and strengthen cooperation as close neighbors.
Lee invited Ishiba to visit South Korea, signaling the resumption of shuttle diplomacy, suspended for over a decade. Their talks were followed by a dinner highlighting Korean and Japanese dishes, attended by both leaders’ spouses.
The meeting marked Lee’s first bilateral overseas summit since taking office in June and the second encounter between Lee and Ishiba, following their initial talks at the G7 summit in Canada.
Leave a comment