Summit Talk of Japan and ROK

The President of Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, visited Japan and had a summit meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on August 23rd. Both leaders agreed on promoting “cooperation of future-looking” in the time they need to share common views on growing security concern imposed by neighboring countries and economic pressure by Donald Trump administration of the United States.

Lee chose Japan as the first destination for his first foreign visit since his inauguration as the president in June. Although he has been known as one of the fundamental critics against Japan, as seen in opposition to discharge of contaminated water from crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant to the Pacific Ocean, Lee takes softer position toward Japan after winning the presidential election in June, upholding “pragmatic diplomacy.”

 

In a joint press conference after the meeting, Ishiba welcomed Lee’s visit of Japan as the first foreign travel and resumption shuttle diplomacy by top leaders of both countries. “In a situation in which strategic environment is growingly severe, the importance of coordination of Japan and ROK and Japan-U.S.-ROK is rising,” said Ishiba. Lee insisted that “ROK and Japan were neighbors sharing the same backyard,” stressing indispensable partnership between both countries.

 

The leaders exchanged joint document for the first time in these seventeen years. Ishiba expressed his intention to overwhelmingly succeed positions of past cabinets, including a joint declaration signed by former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi in 1998, which showed deep remorse and heartfelt apology to colonial rule in the past.

 

Lee emphasized the meaning of his visit to Japan. The ROK president’s first visit to Japan marked new historical example since both countries normalized their relationship. “I visited Japan today with my conviction that both countries should pave the way to coexistence and cooperation,” said Lee in the press conference. Making difference from his political mentor, former president Moon Jae-in, Lee focuses more on practical interests than political principles.

 

It is necessary for both countries to share interests in security and economy. North Korea is enhancing its relationship with Russia, which is involved in the war in Ukraine, to reinforce its military capability with intimidation to South Korea and Japan. Unpredictability of U.S. Trump administration causes economic concern in South Korea and Japan. Both leaders confirmed that they needed to keep their close relationship from the perspective of preserving their national interests of leading democracies in East Asia.

 

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