Lee Jae-myung, the president of Korea, who is visiting Canada to attend the G7 summit, will hold a meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the 17th (local time), the presidential office announced on the 16th. The Korea-U.S. summit originally scheduled for the same day has been postponed due to President Donald Trump's early return, and both countries are set to renegotiate the schedule afterward.
Deputy Minister Wi Seung-lak said at a briefing at the Korean press center in a hotel in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, "Since President Trump unexpectedly returned today, the Korea-U.S. summit scheduled for tomorrow has become difficult," adding, "The summit with Japan has been set for tomorrow afternoon."
Earlier, Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokesperson, said the same day, "President Trump has decided to return early from Canada, where he visited to attend the G7 summit," noting, "Due to the situation unfolding in the Middle East, President Trump is set to leave after tonight's dinner." Consequently, President Trump will not participate in the expanded session attended by G7 invitees and member countries, including Korea.
Deputy Minister Wi stated, "Originally, a multilateral meeting could allow such a thing (a bilateral meeting), but it seems problems arose due to the conflict between Israel and Iran," adding, "We have received contact from the U.S. side requesting our understanding amid such a situation."
However, the presidential office official stated that specific schedules regarding events such as the NATO summit have not been discussed. They added, "We will find the earliest opportunity to arrange again," expressing, "If President Lee is to go to NATO, it is possible that will happen."
◇"Korea-Japan historical management, cooperation enhancement reached consensus"
As the Korea-U.S. summit has been canceled, attention has shifted relatively more to the Korea-Japan summit. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations as well as the upcoming 80th anniversary of liberation. Accordingly, measures to enhance economic and security cooperation, as well as historical issues such as forced labor and comfort women, may be mentioned.
The 'three principles' proposed by Japan may also be mentioned again. Akihisa Nagashima, an aide to Japan's Prime Minister, who visited Korea to attend the reception for the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, met with Deputy Minister Wi the day before and suggested 'three principles for managing historical issues.' The core points are: ▲ do not get bogged down by short-term interests and remember the long-term strategic benefits of both countries, ▲ respect past agreements (government statements, etc.) as much as possible without retreating, and ▲ persuade the citizens of both countries.
However, there are also evaluations that this proposal is a unilateral demand from the Japanese side. In response, a presidential office official said, "I heard the thoughts of the Japanese government, but there was no expression of 'principles'" and added, "We reached a consensus on managing historical issues well and enhancing cooperation. It did not sound coercive, and I heard it as a constructive suggestion for improving Korea-Japan relations."
Ultimately, it is of interest how clearly President Lee will convey Korea's stance regarding historical issues and whether he will obtain a satisfactory response.
A presidential office official noted, "There are subtle problems stemming from historical issues in Korea-Japan relations, as well as important tasks that must be cooperated on for the present and future. We need to put the relationship between both countries into a 'virtuous cycle.'" They also stated, "There will be a message (at the summit) to manage historical issues well while continuing the dialogue."