President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi Join Hands: "Korea and Japan Are Important Neighbors, Will Strengthen Cooperation" [Gyeongju APEC]

Summit Held Just 9 Days After Japanese Prime Minister’s Inauguration
Closed-Door Talks Marked by Laughter and Jokes
Lee to the Hobby-Rich Prime Minister: "You’ve Fulfilled My Dreams"
Proposes Next Shuttle Diplomacy Meeting in a Japanese Reg

President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands on the 30th before the summit meeting at the APEC Summit Hall in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a summit meeting on the 30th, reaffirming their commitment to bilateral cooperation. President Lee met with Prime Minister Takaichi on the afternoon of the 30th on the third floor of the HICO Convention Center in Gyeongju. This was the first meeting between the two leaders, coming just nine days after Prime Minister Takaichi took office on the 21st.

In his opening remarks, President Lee told Prime Minister Takaichi, "Amidst rapidly changing international circumstances and trade environments, Korea and Japan are neighboring countries with many similarities," adding, "I believe now is the time for Korea and Japan to strengthen future-oriented cooperation more than ever."

President Lee continued, "As you are aware, our two countries share many domestic similarities as well," emphasizing, "By sharing our experiences and cooperating, I believe we can successfully address not only our domestic challenges but also international issues."

Prime Minister Takaichi responded, "Japan and Korea are important neighbors to each other," and added, "Given the current strategic environment, the importance of Japan-Korea relations and trilateral cooperation with the United States is growing even more."

She also noted, "This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and Korea, a significant milestone," and stated, "Based on the foundation we have built so far, I am confident that developing our bilateral relationship in a future-oriented and stable manner will benefit both countries." She further expressed hope, saying, "By making good use of shuttle diplomacy, I hope we can communicate well between us."

President Lee mentioned Prime Minister Takaichi's press conference last week, saying, "Not only the people of Korea but also people across East Asia and the world are watching your future with great interest." At the time, Prime Minister Takaichi said, "Korea is a very important neighbor to Japan, and the importance of Korea-Japan relations is increasing. I want to develop Korea-Japan relations in a future-oriented and stable way."

Regarding this, President Lee said, "I not only completely agree, but it's exactly what I always say," adding, "Amazingly, not a single word is different." Some officials in the meeting room were seen laughing at this remark.

President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan are holding a summit meeting on the 30th at the APEC Summit Hall in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The subsequent closed-door meeting also proceeded in a friendly atmosphere, sparked by President Lee's jokes. According to Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung, President Lee began by saying that Prime Minister Takaichi had realized all her dreams, mentioning drums, scuba diving, and motorcycles, which drew laughter from those present.

Spokesperson Kang added, "President Lee agreed on the importance of Korea-Japan relations, emphasizing the need for mutual reliance. He noted that, because Korea and Japan are so close-like sharing a front yard-they sometimes emotionally hurt each other like family, to which Prime Minister Takaichi strongly agreed." Furthermore, President Lee mentioned that, according to the order of shuttle diplomacy, it was Korea's turn to visit Japan, expressing hope to meet in a regional city rather than the capital, Tokyo. Prime Minister Takaichi replied that she hoped to meet soon.

Meanwhile, President Lee, considering Prime Minister Takaichi's preferences mentioned at her inauguration press conference-her fondness for Korean seaweed and cosmetics-presented her with Korean cosmetics and seaweed as gifts. In return, Prime Minister Takaichi, taking into account President Lee's interest in the game of Go, gifted him Go stones and a board made in Kamakura, a city twinned with her hometown of Andong.