Former Japanese Prime Minister Suga Tells President Lee: "I Want to Set a Record for How Often We Meet"

President Lee Meets with Key Political Figures During Korea-Japan Summit
Talks with Executives of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union and Leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party

On the morning of August 24, President Lee Jaemyung, who is visiting Japan, met separately with key figures in Japanese politics, including former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, executives of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union, and Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda, according to Kang Yoojeong, spokesperson for the presidential office. This marks President Lee's final official engagement in Japan.

Yonhap News Agency

In a written briefing, spokesperson Kang stated, "President Lee expressed his pleasure at having another opportunity to converse with former Prime Minister Suga in Tokyo, following their first meeting in July when Suga became the first foreign guest President Lee received after taking office." Kang added, "President Lee highly praised the active efforts and contributions of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union toward the development of bilateral relations."

Kang further explained, "President Lee said that, through the summit meeting and dinner with Prime Minister Ishiba the previous day, it was reaffirmed that Korea and Japan can create greater shared benefits when working together." She also outlined the main achievements of the summit.

In response, former Prime Minister Suga and the executives of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union commended the successful summit between the two countries and welcomed President Lee's decision to choose Japan as his first destination for a bilateral overseas visit despite his busy schedule. Spokesperson Kang noted, "In particular, former Prime Minister Suga replied with a smile, saying, 'I would like to set a record for how often I meet with President Lee Jaemyung.'"

President Lee, former Prime Minister Suga, and the leadership of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union agreed that there are many areas for cooperation between Korea and Japan in fields such as the economy and industry, and that the two countries are also highly complementary in terms of culture. Both sides repeatedly emphasized the importance of working together toward the shared goal of future-oriented, mutually beneficial cooperation. Kang reported that there was a consensus on the importance of cooperation between politicians of both countries, with parliamentary diplomacy led by the Korea-Japan and Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Unions playing a key role.

Meanwhile, President Lee also met with Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party, and his parliamentary delegation, stressing the importance of Korea-Japan relations and proposing that the two countries, as close neighbors, should communicate closely and cooperate together amid global changes. Spokesperson Kang explained, "President Lee and Representative Noda agreed that exchanges between the peoples of Korea and Japan are increasing, and that mutual understanding and friendly perceptions are deepening." She added, "They also shared the view that it is important to continue communication and cooperation not only through intergovernmental channels but also at the level of parliamentary diplomacy in order to build a strong and mature Korea-Japan relationship."