First Meeting with Takaichi: President Lee Says "Very Good Impression," Proposes Shuttle Diplomacy in Nara Prefecture [Gyeongju APEC]

President Lee Holds Press Conference After APEC Summit
"Expecting Korea and Japan to Develop into Mutually Beneficial Partners"
"Thoughts and Actions Should Differ Between Individual Politicians and National Leaders"
"What Matters Most Is the Liv

President Lee Jaemyung stated that his first meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which took place during the Korea-Japan summit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, left him with "a very good impression." He added that, in order to continue shuttle diplomacy, he suggested holding the next summit in Nara Prefecture, Japan.

Yonhap News Agency

At a press conference following the conclusion of the APEC summit on November 1, President Lee shared his impressions of Prime Minister Takaichi and his outlook on future Korea-Japan relations, saying, "I had a very good feeling. All my concerns have disappeared." He continued, "By facing existing issues head-on and joining hands for the future, I believe Korea and Japan can sufficiently develop into mutually beneficial partners."

President Lee further explained, "I believe that, through close cooperation, Korea-Japan relations can advance to a much better stage than where they are now."

When asked whether he had any concerns about Prime Minister Takaichi, who has had a reputation for being staunchly conservative, President Lee responded, "When I was elected, people in Japan might have thought, 'He is extremely left-wing. This is concerning.' But I believe, and should believe, that Prime Minister Takaichi's thoughts and actions as an individual politician will differ from those when she is responsible for leading the Japanese government."

He went on to say, "These days, Japan doesn't seem to be particularly worried about President Lee Jaemyung," and added, "After meeting her in person and having a lengthy conversation, I found her to be an excellent politician with very similar views."

Quoting Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks that "Korea-Japan relations are important and there are many areas for cooperation," President Lee said, "I completely agree. I have said before that if there are problems, we should resolve them, and if there are challenges, we should work together to overcome them. This is something Japan should also do. While politics can be about asserting one's own ideas, what is more important is improving the lives of the people and ensuring a better future for the country."

President Lee revealed that, to continue "Korea-Japan shuttle diplomacy," he proposed that his next visit to Japan be to Nara Prefecture, Prime Minister Takaichi's hometown. He said, "According to the spirit of shuttle diplomacy, I should visit Japan next, and I suggested that, if possible, we hold the meeting in Nara Prefecture." President Lee added that Prime Minister Takaichi responded positively to this suggestion.