"Importance of Korea-Japan Relations and Trilateral Cooperation Grows"
The Japanese government officially announced on the 13th that President Lee Jae-myung will visit Japan from August 23 to 24.
In a press release issued on the same day, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "President Lee Jae-myung and his wife are scheduled to visit Japan," adding, "During their stay, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will hold a summit meeting and host a dinner with President Lee."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described South Korea and Japan as "important neighboring countries that must cooperate as partners on various issues facing the international community," and emphasized that "the importance of Korea-Japan relations and trilateral cooperation among Korea, the United States, and Japan is growing even further in the current strategic environment."
President Lee Jae-myung is shaking hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and taking a commemorative photo at the Korea-Japan summit held in Canada last June. Photo by Yonhap News
The ministry also added that both governments have agreed to maintain close communication, including the resumption of 'shuttle diplomacy,' and expressed hope that this visit will serve as an opportunity for Korea-Japan relations to develop in a stable manner.
On the same day, presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung also announced, "President Lee will visit Japan from August 23 to 24 for a summit meeting and dinner with Prime Minister Ishiba."
Kyodo News reported, "This will be President Lee's first visit to Japan since taking office in June," and stated, "On the 23rd, President Lee and Prime Minister Ishiba will confirm their commitment to cooperation for the stable development of Korea-Japan relations." The news agency also noted that President Lee and Prime Minister Ishiba have agreed to promote shuttle diplomacy, and characterized this visit as the 'first installment' of such efforts.
Kyodo News further observed, "This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries," and predicted that "responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile development, as well as security cooperation among Korea, Japan, and the United States, will also be major agenda items."
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