Korea-Japan Summit Held in Nara, Japan
88-Minute Talks Including Small-Group and Expanded Meetings
Joint Initiative for DNA Testing of Josei Coal Mine Victims' Remains
Close Coordination on Korean Peninsula Denuclearization and North Korea
During his visit to Japan, President Lee Jaemyung held a summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and announced, "The two countries have agreed to proceed with DNA testing to identify the remains of Korean and Japanese victims who died in the Josei Coal Mine flooding accident, and the relevant authorities will hold working-level consultations to discuss the details." President Lee also emphasized the need for the three countries-Korea, China, and Japan-to seek common ground and enhance communication and cooperation, while reaffirming their commitment to close coordination on North Korea policy.
President Lee made this announcement during a joint press briefing after his summit with Prime Minister Takaichi on the 13th in Nara Prefecture, Japan. He added, "I find it meaningful that this summit has enabled us to make small yet significant progress on historical issues." This approach suggests a focus on achieving tangible results on humanitarian issues that can be addressed immediately, rather than seeking a comprehensive resolution of all contentious historical matters at once.
The Josei Coal Mine was an undersea mine where over 130 Koreans were forcibly conscripted as laborers during the Pacific War. In 1942, the mine collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 183 Koreans and Japanese, including Japanese nationals. It was not until August last year, more than 80 years later, that the first remains were discovered.
Amid worsening China-Japan relations, President Lee also stressed the need to expand Korea-Japan cooperation into broader "Korea-China-Japan communication." Regarding issues on the Korean Peninsula, he reaffirmed the commitment to complete denuclearization and the establishment of lasting peace, and reiterated the intention to maintain close coordination on North Korea policy.
President Lee explained, "The two countries exchanged wide-ranging views on regional and global issues, and agreed on the importance of Korea-Japan and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation for peace and stability in the region amid rapidly changing international circumstances." He further emphasized, "It is necessary for the three countries in Northeast Asia-Korea, China, and Japan-to seek as much common ground as possible, communicate, and cooperate together."
Economic Security and AI Cooperation, Stronger Joint Response to Scam Crimes... Proposal to Expand People-to-People Exchanges
The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation and joint response in the economic sector and in tackling transnational crime, building on the foundation of shuttle diplomacy established so far. President Lee stated, "We agreed on the need for comprehensive cooperation to jointly develop economic security, science and technology, and international norms, going beyond trade-centered cooperation," and announced that relevant authorities would begin discussions to this end. In particular, President Lee added, "We also agreed to continue working-level consultations to deepen cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and intellectual property protection."
In the social sector, President Lee acknowledged the discussions held by the "Korea-Japan Common Social Issues Council," launched last year, on topics such as low birth rates and aging populations, balanced regional development, agriculture and disaster prevention, and suicide prevention. He said, "Let us achieve concrete results in addressing shared challenges such as regional growth." Regarding the response to transnational crimes such as scam crimes, he explained, "Japan has agreed to participate in the international cooperation council launched under the leadership of the Korean National Police Agency, and an agreement will be adopted to provide institutional support for this cooperation."
President Lee also proposed expanding people-to-people exchanges. He said, "In this era of 12 million people-to-people exchanges, enhancing mutual understanding among future generations is the foundation of forward-looking Korea-Japan relations." He suggested simplifying immigration procedures, encouraging school trips, and "expanding the current mutual recognition of technical qualifications, which is limited to the IT sector, to other fields as well."
Korea-Japan Leaders Surprise Drum Ensemble to K-Pop Demon Hunters and BTS... President Lee: "A Lifelong Dream Fulfilled Today"
After concluding the summit, President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed and exchanged drumsticks after a drum ensemble at the reception hall in Nara Prefecture, Japan, on the 13th. The two leaders played drums together to the theme song "Golden" of K-Pop Demon Hunters and BTS's hit song "Dynamite." Prime Minister Takaichi was a drummer in a heavy metal rock band during her school days. Yonhap News
This Korea-Japan summit was President Lee's fifth since taking office, and the second since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi assumed office following the resignation of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The summit lasted a total of 88 minutes, including a 20-minute small-group meeting and a 68-minute expanded meeting. After completing the small-group and expanded meetings and the joint press briefing, President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi continued with a one-on-one conversation and dinner.
During the reception, the Japanese side prepared an unannounced surprise event. Both leaders wore blue uniforms provided by the Japanese side and sat together in front of "Pearl" drums, a leading Japanese musical instrument brand, where they performed an impromptu drum ensemble. According to the presidential office, this event was specially arranged by the Japanese side to symbolically showcase the rapport and closeness between the two leaders. By playing "Golden," the theme song of K-Pop Demon Hunters, and BTS's "Dynamite" together, the two leaders turned the reception into a unique opportunity for cultural exchange.
Kim Namjoon, spokesperson for the presidential office, said, "At the event, President Lee commented, 'Today, I fulfilled a lifelong dream. Ever since I was a child, it has been my wish to play the drums.' Prime Minister Takaichi personally explained how to play the drums and led the ensemble." At the event, Prime Minister Takaichi presented President Lee with a pair of drumsticks, and both leaders signed and exchanged them. Kim added that the uniforms they wore featured the national flags and English names of both leaders, further symbolizing the friendship and mutual respect between the Korean and Japanese leaders, even in the midst of this unexpected event.
President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are playing drums together in the reception hall after a summit meeting on the 13th in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The two leaders played drums together to the theme song "Golden" of K-Pop Demon Hunters and BTS's hit song "Dynamite." Prime Minister Takaichi was a drummer in a heavy metal rock band during her school days. Yonhap News
Meanwhile, the presidential office highlighted the exceptional hospitality extended by the Japanese side during this visit. Spokesperson Kim stated, "From President Lee's arrival in Osaka to his arrival in Nara Prefecture, the Japanese side provided the highest level of security." He added, "Upon arriving at his accommodations in Nara Prefecture, contrary to the original plan, Prime Minister Takaichi personally greeted President Lee in front of the hotel. President Lee expressed his deep gratitude, saying, 'The people of the Republic of Korea will also appreciate the Prime Minister's thoughtful gestures.'"
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