Trump's Second Phone Call as U.S. President… Possibility of a Korea-Japan Summit
President Lee Jae-myung spoke on the phone with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the noon of the 9th, marking the first summit dialogue between the two countries since his inauguration.
The call lasted for about 25 minutes, and this was the second time President Lee spoke with a foreign leader, following his call with U.S. President Donald Trump on the 6th.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jeong stated in a written briefing that "President Lee and Prime Minister Ishiba shared the intention to create a more solid and mature Korea-Japan relationship based on mutual respect, trust, and a responsible attitude."
60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Normalization… Emphasis on Strengthening Civilian Exchange and Government Cooperation
The two leaders recalled that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations and noted the recent revitalization of exchanges between the citizens of the two countries.
Accordingly, they agreed to further strengthen communication between the two governments, as reported by spokesperson Kang.
During the call, Prime Minister Ishiba congratulated President Lee on his inauguration and conveyed friendly greetings. In response, President Lee expressed his gratitude, stating, "The importance of Korea-Japan relations is growing in today’s strategic environment," and added, "I hope that our two countries can explore ways to jointly respond to future challenges from the perspective of mutual national interests."
Possibility of Korea-Japan Summit Ahead of G7 Meeting… In-depth Dialogue Expected
The leaders of Korea and Japan are set to attend the G7 summit in Canada starting on the 15th of this month. It is reported that both sides are discussing the possibility of holding a Korea-Japan summit in conjunction with this meeting.
Spokesperson Kang stated, "The two leaders agreed to continue in-depth discussions on the development of Korea-Japan relations and other topics of mutual interest during their future face-to-face meetings."
This call is being interpreted as a signal that diplomatic channels between Korea and Japan are being reactivated following President Lee's inauguration. Should a summit between the two leaders be realized after coordination between diplomatic authorities, it could mark a turning point for the expansion of practical cooperation.
Image Sources: President Lee Jae-myung / News1, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba / gettyimageskorea, News1
