South Korea president calls for 'redefining' Japan ties in holiday address
STEVEN BOROWIEC
August 15, 2025 11:21 JST
SEOUL -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday called Japan "an indispensable partner in our economic development" in an address marking the the 80th anniversary of the Korean Peninsula's independence from its colonial rule -- and one week before he travels to the historically rival country for an unexpected summit.

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