Lee Jae-myung said on Apr. 8 after meeting former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, "Amid the rapidly changing international situation, the importance of cooperation between Korea and Japan, as neighbors who share a front yard, is growing even greater." He added, "I hope the two countries will achieve greater results in cooperation across various fields through close communication." It was about six months since the two leaders last met, when they held a summit in Busan at the end of September last year.
At Cheong Wa Dae the same day, the president had a lunch for about 90 minutes with the former prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, and exchanged views on the direction of advancing Korea-Japan relations and on the international situation, including the recent Middle East situation. The president said, "I am glad that the momentum of progress in Korea-Japan relations has continued since the restoration of shuttle diplomacy between the leaders last year," and added, "Please continue to play an active role in managing difficult issues in bilateral relations and in firmly carrying forward future-oriented cooperation."
In response, former Prime Minister Ishiba said, "The president is institutionalizing shuttle diplomacy between the leaders and is steadily advancing Korea-Japan relations." He added, "As instability in the international situation grows significantly, including the recent Middle East war, it is important for the two countries to communicate more actively and expand cooperation across various fields such as the economy, society, and security."
They also shared records of their close communication last year. Former Prime Minister Ishiba said, "From June to September last year, I met with the president three times. Twice in Tokyo and once in Busan." Noting his successor, Sanae Takaichi, he added, "I am pleased to see reports that you are maintaining a very good relationship with Prime Minister Takaichi as well."
According to Cheong Wa Dae, the lunch menu featured ingredients enjoyed in both countries, including "Wando abalone and premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, galbijjim with warm vegetables," a dish favored in Tottori Prefecture, Ishiba's hometown, and "spring herb bibimbap and fish ball soup using scallops from Tottori Prefecture." When former Prime Minister Ishiba pointed to the flower decoration on the napkin on the table and joked, "We shouldn't eat this, right?" the president laughed and replied, "That's right," creating a warm and friendly mood.
Attending the lunch on the Korean side were Office of National Security Director Wi Sung-lac and Second Deputy for National Security Lim Woong-soon, while on the Japanese side were former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima.