Presidential Office: "Close Communication with New Cabinet" Following Takaichi's Election as LDP President in Japan

"Continue Cooperation to Maintain Positive Momentum in Korea-Japan Relations"
Prominent Far-Right Politician in Japan Raises Concerns Over Strained Bilateral Ties

On October 4, Sanae Takaichi, former Minister for Economic Security, was elected as the 29th president of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party. In response, the Presidential Office stated that it will continue to cooperate closely with Japan's new cabinet to maintain the positive momentum in Korea-Japan relations.

On October 5, the Presidential Office said, "It appears that a new cabinet will be formed in Japan in mid-October," and added, "As neighboring countries and global cooperation partners who share similar positions amid rapidly changing geopolitical dynamics and trade order, we hope that both Korea and Japan will continue to work together for the development of a future-oriented relationship."

The office also stated, "With shuttle diplomacy now fully restored, we expect to actively engage with the new Prime Minister as soon as the new cabinet is launched."

In the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election held the previous day, former minister Takaichi defeated Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to become party president. The newly elected Liberal Democratic Party president, Sanae Takaichi, is widely regarded as a representative far-right politician in Japan, often referred to as the "female Abe." She is known for her regular visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where Class-A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined, and for maintaining a hardline stance on the Dokdo issue.

As a result, some observers are expressing concerns that Korea-Japan relations may become strained again, with the shuttle diplomacy between President Lee Jaemyung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba-restored through three summit meetings-potentially becoming unstable.