President Lee: "Korea and Japan Have Been Great Strength to Each Other... Beginning a New 60 Years"

Summit Held in Nara, Prime Minister Takaichi's Hometown
"60 Years Since Normalization of Diplomatic Ties... We Must Firmly Hold Hands and Create a Better Future"
Takaichi: "We Will Cooperate for Regional Stability and Fulfill Our Role"

On January 13, President Lee Jaemyung held a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Nara Prefecture, Japan. President Lee stated, "Since the end of the war, Korea and Japan have both achieved remarkable growth and development. In that process, Korea has been a great strength to Japan, and Japan has been a great strength to Korea. I believe that if we firmly join hands and walk together, we can surely create a better future."

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee went on to emphasize the need for Korea-Japan cooperation, saying, "I hope that the Prime Minister and I can join hands, and that the people of Japan and Korea can work together to move toward a new future for both countries."

He also noted the significance of continuing shuttle diplomacy in Nara, the Prime Minister's hometown. President Lee remarked, "It is truly meaningful to have this summit in your hometown. The Nara region appears to have been a center of cultural exchange between the ancient Korean Peninsula and Japan." He added, "Exchange and cooperation between Korea and Japan are more important now than ever before."

President Lee further stated, "Although there were painful experiences in the past, it has now been sixty years since the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, and we are beginning a new sixty-year chapter. In that sense, today's summit holds special significance."

Additionally, President Lee acknowledged the practical difficulties surrounding Korea-Japan relations, saying, "The situation is complicated, difficult, and there are uncomfortable aspects, but there are also comfortable and positive sides. Let us work to discover and nurture the good aspects, and manage and minimize the uncomfortable or negative ones."

Yonhap News Agency

Prime Minister Takaichi, in a prior small-group meeting, said, "I was able to have in-depth discussions with President Lee based on our shared understanding of the strategic importance of Japan-Korea relations. I am once again reminded that, together with President Lee, we must advance Japan-Korea relations and ensure that both countries cooperate to fulfill their roles for regional stability."

She continued, "I am very pleased that both sides were able to continuously demonstrate the strength of Japan-Korea relations last year, which marked the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties. This year, starting with President Lee's visit to Japan, I hope we can further elevate Japan-Korea relations to a higher level."

Earlier that day, after arriving at Kansai International Airport in the morning, President Lee immediately traveled to Nara Prefecture, the hometown of Prime Minister Takaichi. Prime Minister Takaichi personally welcomed President Lee in front of his local accommodation, offering a warm reception. The Blue House explained, "Originally, the hotel was scheduled to provide the official welcome, but with the Prime Minister's personal reception, the protocol was elevated."

On this day, President Lee began with a small-group summit with the Japanese Prime Minister, followed by an expanded meeting and a joint press announcement. This summit marks the fifth Korea-Japan summit since President Lee took office, and the second since Prime Minister Takaichi assumed office after the resignation of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.