Tokyo: President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Japan on Tuesday for summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The discussions are expected to focus on bilateral ties, as well as regional and global issues, amid ongoing tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.
According to Lao News Agency, Lee will stay in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi's home region, for two days as part of reciprocal leader-level visits known as "shuttle diplomacy." This initiative aims to maintain the recent progress in improving relations between the two countries. This visit marks Lee's second trip to Japan following his meeting last August with Takaichi's predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, and his third meeting with Takaichi since she assumed office in October.
The two leaders have previously held summit talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju in late October and briefly met during the Group of 20 leaders' gathering in South Africa in November. The current meeting comes shortly after Lee's state visit to China for discussions with President Xi Jinping, during a period of increased tensions between Beijing and Tokyo following Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan.
In an interview with Japan's NHK on Monday, Lee emphasized that the Republic of Korea's "relations with Japan are as important as relations with China." He also stated that the tensions over Taiwan are not a matter Seoul will "engage in or intervene in."
A significant topic likely to be addressed is the Republic of Korea's ban on seafood imports from eight Japanese prefectures. Tokyo has long urged Seoul to lift the restrictions imposed in 2013 due to radiation concerns following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. In the interview, Lee mentioned that easing the restrictions would require time to alleviate public concerns but acknowledged that the issue is a major item on Seoul's diplomatic agenda, as it seeks Tokyo's support for its bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is also expected to feature in discussions, with both leaders interested in engaging Pyongyang. Lee welcomed Takaichi's willingness to hold talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong-un regarding the abduction issue, offering to facilitate dialogue between Tokyo and Pyongyang and help move toward establishing diplomatic ties.
Historical issues are anticipated to be on the agenda as well, as the Lee administration pursues a "two-track" approach of expanding future-oriented cooperation while addressing unresolved wartime history issues from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac expressed hope that the upcoming talks will advance cooperation in efforts to recover the remains of Korean forced laborers from the Chosei undersea coal mine in Japan's western Yamaguchi Prefecture, where a flood in 1942 killed 136 Koreans.
On Wednesday, the two leaders are scheduled to attend diplomatic events together, including a visit to Horyuji Temple, which houses the world's oldest surviving wooden structures and is Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lee is also scheduled to meet with members of the Korean community in Japan before returning home later in the day.
