[Full Text] Korea-Japan Summit Joint Press Statement

On August 23, President Lee Jaemyung announced during a 'joint press statement' immediately following the Korea-Japan summit that the two countries have agreed to launch a consultative body to jointly address common challenges. In addition, both sides agreed to maintain close cooperation on North Korea policy aimed at the 'complete denuclearization' of the Korean Peninsula, and to expand youth participation in working holiday programs to increase people-to-people exchanges. This is the first time in 17 years that South Korea and Japan have issued a joint document on the occasion of a summit.

Yonhap News

The following is the joint press statement from the Korea-Japan summit.

President Lee Jaemyung and his spouse made a working visit to Japan on August 23, 2025. On the same day, President Lee held a summit meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

The two leaders shared the view that as partners, Korea and Japan must work together in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial manner to address the diverse challenges facing the international community.

Marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan this year, the two leaders agreed to further develop bilateral relations in a future-oriented and stable manner, building on the foundations established since normalization in 1965.

Prime Minister Ishiba stated that his cabinet as a whole inherits the positions of previous cabinets on historical awareness, including the 1998 "Joint Declaration on a New Korea-Japan Partnership for the 21st Century."

1. Strengthening Exchanges and Strategic Understanding Between Leaders

(1) The two leaders noted that, following the first Korea-Japan summit in Canada about two weeks after President Lee’s inauguration, another summit was held in Japan after about two months, effectively resuming shuttle diplomacy between the two countries at an early stage.

(2) The two leaders recognized the need to enhance strategic communication between the two countries in light of changes in the regional strategic environment, including the Indo-Pacific, and the emergence of new economic and trade orders. They agreed to strengthen communication at the leadership and all other levels, including in security and economic security.

2. Expanding Cooperation in Future Industries and Addressing Common Challenges

(1) The two leaders agreed that greater synergy can be achieved by leveraging each country's strengths in the economic and industrial sectors, and decided to further expand cooperation in future industries such as hydrogen and AI.

(2) The two leaders agreed on the need to jointly address social issues faced by both countries, such as low birth rates and aging populations, population decline, regional revitalization, concentration of population in metropolitan areas, agriculture, and disaster prevention. They agreed to launch an intergovernmental consultative body to share policy experiences and seek joint solutions.

3. Expanding People-to-People Exchanges

(1) The two leaders agreed to strengthen the foundation of future-oriented Korea-Japan relations by providing more opportunities for young people to experience and understand each other's cultures and societies. They decided to increase the maximum number of times individuals can participate in the Korea-Japan working holiday program from once to twice.

(2) The two leaders welcomed the operation of dedicated immigration inspection lanes for Korea and Japan, which began in June this year under the positive momentum of bilateral relations. They also agreed to continue supporting various exchange programs commemorating the 60th anniversary of normalization and to create a more favorable environment for mutual exchange and understanding between the two countries.

4. Cooperation for Peace on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea Issues

(1) The two leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace, and agreed to continue bilateral cooperation on North Korea policy.

(2) The two leaders confirmed the need to continue cooperation with the international community to ensure the faithful implementation of UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea, based on trilateral cooperation among Korea, the US, and Japan, in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. They also emphasized the need to jointly address North Korea's illegal cyber activities and the deepening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of a peaceful resolution of North Korea's nuclear and missile issues through dialogue and diplomacy.

(3) The two leaders agreed on the importance of efforts to resolve the abduction issue.

5. Strengthening Regional and Global Cooperation

(1) The two leaders agreed that, amid rapidly changing international circumstances, unwavering cooperation between Korea, Japan, and the US is more important than ever. They stated their intention to continue fostering a virtuous cycle in which the development of Korea-Japan relations leads to stronger trilateral cooperation.

(2) The two leaders reaffirmed that both countries are important partners in addressing various challenges in the international community. They agreed to work together for the successful hosting of the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, Korea, this October and the Korea-Japan-China Summit to be held in Japan.