Keeping Distance Over Mediation... Lee on Taiwan: "It's a China-Japan Issue, Not Ours to Intervene In"

A Day Before the Korea-Japan Summit
President Lee's Interview with NHK on the 12th

President Lee Jae-myung is giving an interview to Japan's NHK at the Blue House on the 12th, one day before the Korea-Japan summit. Photo by Yonhap News

In an interview with NHK on the 12th, one day before the Korea-Japan summit, President Lee Jae-myung drew a clear line regarding the conflict between China and Japan over Taiwan, stating, "This is an issue between China and Japan, and it is not something in which we should be deeply involved or intervene." President Lee, who is visiting Japan just a week after his state visit to China, appeared cautious, aiming to avoid being drawn into the conflict rather than acting as a mediator.

In the interview released through NHK that day, President Lee said, "It is clear that President Xi Jinping of China holds a very negative view regarding Japan's position on the Taiwan issue."

President Lee also stated, "I directly told President Xi that, for the Republic of Korea, relations with Japan are as important as those with China," but added, "Each country has its own core interests, and the survival of the nation itself is important." In the current situation, where relations between China and Japan have become strained over the Taiwan issue, President Lee has maintained a distance without taking sides.

President Lee further commented, "From the perspective of peace and stability in Northeast Asia, such confrontation and conflict between China and Japan are not desirable, so I hope that these issues will be resolved smoothly through dialogue between the two countries," offering a principled response.

In contrast, regarding relations with North Korea, President Lee expressed his desire to play an active role. He stated, "I believe it would be good for Japan and North Korea to develop a relationship where they can engage in dialogue, communicate, and, if necessary, establish diplomatic relations," emphasizing, "The Republic of Korea will work to create the conditions to make this possible in the future."

President Lee Jae-myung is giving an interview to Japan's NHK at the Blue House on the 12th, one day before the Korea-Japan summit. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee continued, "From that perspective, there are issues that Japan needs to resolve, such as the abduction issue," and added, "Restoring relations to a harmonious state would be desirable for peace on the Korean Peninsula. I will actively support and assist in this effort."

Regarding the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a sensitive issue between Korea and Japan, President Lee indicated his willingness to negotiate. Concerning the ban on seafood imports from eight Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, he said, "This is an issue that needs to be resolved in the long term," and added, "While it may be difficult in the short term, I believe it is an agenda item that should be actively discussed in order to gain Japan's cooperation for Korea's accession to the CPTPP."

The CPTPP is a multilateral free trade agreement (FTA) launched in 2018 under Japan's leadership by countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Twelve countries, including Japan, Canada, and Australia, are members. President Lee plans to explore Korea's accession during this Korea-Japan summit.

Regarding the future of bilateral relations, President Lee said, "There are many areas where Korea and Japan can cooperate." He suggested, "Since there are so many fields in which we can compete and cooperate, it would be good to identify more common ground where we can work together."

Starting on the 13th, President Lee will visit Japan for a two-day, one-night schedule and hold a summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The summit will take place not in Tokyo, the capital, but in Nara Prefecture, a small Japanese city that is both Prime Minister Takaichi's electoral district and hometown.