President Lee Jae-myung is preparing to invite Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Andong as part of Korea-Japan leaders' shuttle diplomacy.
At a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 20th, President Lee said, "The Korea-Japan summit proceeded on a tight schedule, but the preparation was very good," praising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He then said, "As part of shuttle diplomacy with the Japanese prime minister, I want to go to Andong, but there are no suitable venues or accommodations."
In response, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun said, "So the plan is to stop by Daegu and hold it in Andong (under way)."
When Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon O-eul, whose hometown is Andong, said, "There are accommodations in Andong," President Lee replied, "Simple lodging will not do." National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lac added, "There is a four-star hotel, and the meeting can be held at the provincial government office," and noted, "There are about 20 rooms at a hanok hotel."
President Lee said, "We can sleep anywhere, but the other head of state cannot," adding, "If facilities can be improved, let's do it." He said, "The Japanese prime minister also said they want to go to Andong," and asked, "Make sure to secure good accommodations."
There was also discussion of follow-up outcomes after the Korea-China summit. President Lee asked, "For China, the question is whether exchanges in the cultural sector will be restored. Is there progress?" Minister Cho Hyun said, "We agreed to hold a ministerial-level meeting in the first quarter."
Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yun-cheol also said, "Through the first state visit in nine years, we laid the groundwork for a future-oriented, full restoration of Korea-China relations," adding, "On the sidelines of the summit, 74 MOUs were signed, and private corporations separately signed 30 more."