[Breaking] President Lee to Hold Summit with Prime Minister Takaichi in Nara Prefecture, Japan, on January 13-14

Discussing Ways to Strengthen Cooperation in Economic, Social, and Cultural Sectors

President Lee Jaemyung will visit Nara Prefecture, Japan, for a two-day, one-night trip from January 13 to 14 at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. This visit marks President Lee's second trip to Japan since taking office and his first since the inauguration of the Takaichi Cabinet.

Yonhap News Agency

According to the Office of the President, President Lee will arrive in Nara on the afternoon of the 13th and hold a summit meeting and dinner with Prime Minister Takaichi. During the summit and related events, President Lee plans to discuss ways to strengthen practical cooperation in a wide range of areas directly affecting people's livelihoods, including regional and global issues, as well as economic, social, and cultural matters.

Regarding the choice of Nara Prefecture as the destination, spokesperson Kang Yujeong appeared on the YouTube channel "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory" and explained, "Last time, former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also visited Busan. The focus is not on simple shuttle diplomacy between Seoul and Tokyo, but rather on revitalizing local economies and local governments."

On the morning of the 14th, the two leaders will participate in a friendship event together, and in the afternoon, President Lee will hold a meeting with Korean residents before returning home. The Office of the President stated, "By realizing a bilateral visit soon after Prime Minister Takaichi took office, we expect to highlight the significance of shuttle diplomacy with frequent exchanges between the two countries, while also solidifying the foundation for a future-oriented and stable development of Korea-Japan relations."