President Lee to Visit Japan for Summit and Dinner with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Before Meeting Trump
Highlighting Efforts to Improve Korea-Japan Relations and Strengthen Trilateral Cooperation
Preemptively Addressing U.S. Concerns on Korea
President Lee Jaemyung is scheduled to visit Japan on August 23-24 for a summit and dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, ahead of his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on August 25. This decision is interpreted as an effort to highlight the administration's commitment to improving Korea-Japan relations and strengthening trilateral cooperation among Korea, the United States, and Japan before meeting with President Trump.
On this day, Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, announced during a briefing at the Presidential Office in Yongsan that President Lee will hold his first Korea-Japan summit with Prime Minister Ishiba in Japan on August 23, marking his first visit to Japan since taking office. President Lee will visit Japan before heading to the United States on August 24. Unlike the Korea-U.S. summit, which is a state visit, this trip to Japan is considered a working visit.
This move mirrors that of Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who visited Japan first and then proceeded to the United States on July 29. The President and the Foreign Minister have scheduled their diplomatic trips in the same pattern at different times, a decision seen as taking into account President Trump and the U.S. administration, which has been focusing on containing China.
In particular, by taking the initiative to improve Korea-Japan relations, the Korean government also appears to be aiming to preemptively address any concerns from the United States. The Trump administration is likely to raise security issues, such as increasing defense spending, under the banner of "modernizing the alliance" during the upcoming Korea-U.S. summit. By proactively working to improve relations with Japan, the Korean government may be able to strengthen its negotiating position at the table when discussing security matters.
President Lee's visit to Japan also signals Korea's intention to take the lead in resuming "shuttle diplomacy" between the two countries. Korea and Japan must address a range of issues, including security cooperation, North Korea policy, economic cooperation, and expanding people-to-people exchanges. During the briefing, spokesperson Kang stated, "The two leaders previously agreed in June to resume shuttle diplomacy as soon as possible," and added, "We hope this visit will deepen the personal bond and trust between the two leaders."
Kang further explained, "Through the summit, the Korea-Japan leaders will solidify the foundation for future-oriented cooperation between the two countries, discuss ways to strengthen Korea-Japan and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, and engage in candid discussions on regional peace and stability as well as regional and global issues."
Meanwhile, with President Lee's trips to the United States and Japan now confirmed, the Presidential Office has decided not to dispatch special envoys to the United States or Japan, which had previously been under consideration and discussion.
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