The presidential office said President Lee Jae-myung on the 13th showed an impromptu drum ensemble during a chat with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. It was a "surprise event" prepared by Takaichi, who was a band drummer in college, arranging a chance to play together on drums by Pearl, Japan's leading instrument brand. Lee said, "Since I was young, it was my wish to play the drums," adding, "Today I fulfilled a lifelong dream."
After the two leaders' joint press statement that day, the Japanese side presented a friendship program that had not been disclosed in advance during the chat. According to Presidential Office Spokesperson Kim Nam-joon, Takaichi personally explained to Lee how to play "Golden" by K-pop Demon Hunters and "Dynamite" by BTS, leading the ensemble. The two leaders wore blue uniforms prepared by the Japanese side. Takaichi then presented Lee with drumsticks, and the two leaders exchanged sticks signed by each.
The presidential office said it was "a program the Japanese side prepared specially to symbolically showcase the rapport and closeness between the two leaders." It added that the uniforms Takaichi presented were inscribed with each country's flag and the leaders' names in English, saying it "added meaning of friendship and mutual respect between the Korea-Japan leaders even amid an unexpected event."
The presidential office said the Japanese government's exceptional hospitality stood out at this summit. In particular, it said that contrary to the original schedule, Takaichi visited in person in front of Lee's lodging to greet him, adding, "From the time Lee arrived at Osaka International Airport until reaching Nara Prefecture, the Japanese side provided the highest level of security." In response, Lee said, "People of the Republic of Korea will also appreciate the prime minister's thoughtful consideration."
Meanwhile, at the meeting the two leaders said, "Let's pursue various cooperation for a new 60 years of Korea-Japan relations," and pledged to expand cooperation in the economy and society that the people of both countries can feel. In particular, to jointly respond to transnational crimes such as online scams, Japan will join an international cooperation council led by the Korean National Police Agency, and they also agreed to adopt a related agreement.
Regarding historical issues, the plan is to jointly promote DNA testing to identify the remains of Koreans who died in the 1942 "Josei undersea coal mine flooding accident." In the joint press statement, Lee said, "With this summit as a starting point, we were able to make small but meaningful progress on historical issues, which I find truly significant."