President Lee Jae-myung on the 19th strengthened ties by holding a summit with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in his hometown of Andong, North Gyeongsang, followed by a dinner.
Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing that after the joint press announcement, the two leaders moved to another venue and shared a dinner for more than an hour.
In his dinner remarks, Lee said, "It is all the more meaningful to welcome Prime Minister Takaichi in my hometown of Andong," adding, "Since we have met four times over the roughly seven months of Prime Minister Takaichi's tenure, it seems the bond between the two leaders has deepened."
He also recalled that when he visited Nara Prefecture, Prime Minister Takaichi's hometown, in January, Takaichi personally taught him to play the drums, and noted, "The candid communication and rapport between the two leaders are having a positive impact on the development of bilateral relations."
Lee added, "I hope the two countries will become not 'neighbors close yet distant' but 'close and even closer partners' based on affinity and trust," emphasizing, "I expect tonight's dinner to serve as an opportunity to deepen exchanges and friendly cooperation between the two countries."
When Prime Minister Takaichi said, "I was very torn about whether to drink because I have a schedule at the Diet tomorrow," Lee joked, "Should I call and see if you can stay one more day?" prompting laughter among those present.
Prime Minister Takaichi said, "I was deeply impressed by the citizens of Andong who welcomed us on the streets while we were moving to the meeting venue." Noting that "the election banners hung throughout downtown are larger than those in Japan," Takaichi also asked Lee whether it is currently the election period.
When Prime Minister Takaichi proposed, "I would like the next shuttle diplomacy to continue in a local hot spring city in Japan," Lee responded, "If I say I will go to a hot spring, will it be arranged right away?" drawing laughter from the participants.
Earlier, as the joint press announcement for the summit wrapped up, Prime Minister Takaichi asked Lee, "Next time you will come to Japan—shall we go to a hot spring or where shall we go?" and Lee laughed out loud.
At the dinner, Prime Minister Takaichi also showed interest in Korea's oil price cap and consumer coupons, directly asking Lee about the payment method and scope, Kang said.
For the dinner, fusion Korean cuisine incorporating dishes from Suun Japbang, a treasured ancestral cookbook of Andong's head families, was served. The menu included Jeongyea, a chicken dish that is the prototype of Andong jjimdak, and grilled Andong premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, short ribs.
As dinner drinks symbolizing harmony and friendship between the two countries, Andong's traditional liquors Taesaju and Andong soju were served alongside sake from Nara Prefecture, Prime Minister Takaichi's hometown.
Before formally beginning the dinner, Lee said, "We prepared dishes with all the red pepper powder removed for Prime Minister Takaichi," and introduced Andong as an inland area where fresh ingredients have long been scarce.
After dinner, the two leaders moved to the ferry dock at Hahoe Village to watch a performance of the traditional culture "Seonyu Julbulnori" and the creative pansori piece "Like Scattering Fireworks," which Korea had specially prepared for Prime Minister Takaichi.