President Lee Jae-myung said during a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the 23rd, "Korea and Japan have a neighborly relationship, like sharing a front yard." He also mentioned that during their first bilateral meeting at the G7 (Group of Seven) summit in Canada on June 17, "After seeing each other a second time, I feel like we are very close friends." Prime Minister Ishiba noted, "The development of Japan-Korea relations benefits not only our two countries but also the entire region."
On the same day, President Lee, during the expanded Korea-Japan summit held at the Japanese Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo, said of Korea-Japan relations, "We share many things and there are indeed many areas for cooperation, but on the other hand, since we are too close, unnecessary conflicts sometimes arise." He added, "Just like in personal relationships, there are always elements that can complement conflicts in international relations."
He also mentioned cooperation related to "trade issues." President Lee said, "Recently, especially regarding trade issues and security matters, the international order is in turmoil, so I feel that Korea and Japan, which share similar values, systems, and ideologies, need to strengthen our cooperative relationship more than ever." This is interpreted as a call for cooperation in light of the recent trade negotiations both countries have had with the Donald Trump administration.
President Lee said, "I understand that Prime Minister Ishiba has a special interest in balanced regional development, so when he visits Korea as part of future shuttle diplomacy, I hope to meet him not in Seoul but in the regions of Korea," adding, "After seeing each other for the second time, I feel like we are very close friends."
Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the importance of the "Korea-U.S.-Japan" cooperation and expressed gratitude that President Lee was the first Korean president to visit Japan for a summit. He remarked, "I understand that this is the first time for a Korean president to visit Japan after taking office," adding, "It is reassuring that President Lee has made this first visit to Japan. I hope we can implement 'shuttle diplomacy' in a good format moving forward."
Prime Minister Ishiba stated, "Peace and stability are not freely given; they will not be realized if nothing is done," and emphasized, "If you do not take proactive steps, they will not be granted." He also noted, "Strengthening cooperation between Korea, Japan, and the United States is very important," and expressed, "I am very pleased that we share this understanding with President Lee."
He mentioned meeting Minister Park Hyun on the 29th of last month. It seems to clarify that Minister Park did not accompany President Lee on his visit to Japan and instead utilized a connecting flight to visit the United States. Earlier, Minister Park arrived in the United States before President Lee to coordinate the agenda for the Korea-U.S. summit. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Park, who arrived in the U.S. on the 22nd (local time), has been meeting with Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, to discuss preparatory agreements for the Korea-U.S. meeting.