Latest news with #Japan-SouthKorea
Yomiuri Shimbun
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Looks to Boost Trust with S. Korea's President Lee, Who Has Called for ‘Pragmatic Diplomacy'
The Associated Press South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul on June 4. Japan is eager to foster a trusting relationship with South Korea under its new President Lee Jae-myung, who advocates 'pragmatic diplomacy' — prioritizing practical benefits over ideology. During their first phone call on Monday, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Lee, who is known for being critical of Japan, agreed to keep up momentum toward better Japan-South Korea relations. Ishiba hopes to hold an in-person meeting, according to government sources. 'We had an excellent phone conversation. Although difficult issues exist between Japan and our neighbor South Korea, I intend to communicate actively and energetically [with Lee] to develop a stable bilateral relationship,' Ishiba told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo after the phone call. Lee, on his X account, praised Ishiba as a leader who believes in trying to build a genuine relationship of trust with South Korea. Given the increasingly challenging strategic environment, the leaders recognized the need for cooperation between Japan and South Korea, and trilaterally with the United States. Concerns in this area include military collaboration between Russia and North Korea, and confrontation between the United States and China during President Donald Trump's term. The fact that Lee spoke with Ishiba before China suggests, to some extent, South Korea's continued focus on its relationship with Japan. Japan is watching how Lee pursues his 'pragmatic diplomacy,' viewing this approach as the reason he stopped his anti-Japanese remarks. Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who like Lee was a left-leaning leader, emphasized on ideology and principles. During his inaugural phone call with then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which he held after his call with China, Moon expressed that he could not accept the agreement on former comfort women that was previously made with Japan. He subsequently nullified the agreement, causing Japan-South Korea relations to severely deteriorate. In contrast, Lee expressed his eagerness on Monday for cooperation based on the national interests of both countries. He showed that he intends to separate historical issues from economic and security matters. At a press conference shortly after his inauguration on June 4, he also hinted that he would stick to his predecessors' solution to a lawsuit filed by former wartime requisitioned workers from the Korean Peninsula. However, Japan is still deeply concerned about whether Lee can address potential friction between the two countries while maintaining the support of his base. Tokyo is looking to stabilize relations by building trust through frequent summit meetings.
Asahi Shimbun
a day ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Ishiba, Lee share hopes for early meeting in first phone talks
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters following the election of Lee Jae-myung as South Korean president on June 4. (Takeshi Iwashita) Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung agreed on the need for improved ties between their respective nations as they talked on the telephone on June 9. According to a Japanese government statement, the two leaders shared 'hopes for an early opportunity for a face-to-face meeting.' It was the first time that Lee, who assumed the presidency on June 4, and Ishiba have held talks. During the conversation that lasted for about 25 minutes from noon, Ishiba and Lee agreed on the importance of Japan-South Korea relations and cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea. They also confirmed that Japan-South Korea relations should be developed in a stable manner. Ishiba told Lee that he 'would like to work closely (with Seoul) in dealing with North Korea, including the abduction issue of Japanese nationals by North Korea,' according to the Japanese government. According to an announcement by the Office of the President of South Korea, the two leaders agreed to create a more solid and mature relationship between the two countries based on mutual respect and trust. Lee also stressed that Japan-Korea relations are becoming more important in today's strategic environment, and expressed hope that the two countries will respond to challenges together from the perspective of mutual national interests and seek a direction in which they can coexist in harmony. It was the second time that Lee has held phone talks with a foreign leader, following U.S. President Donald Trump on the evening of June 6. Ishiba and Lee are scheduled to attend the Group of Seven summit in Canada on June 15-17, and may hold their first face-to-face meeting as early as this occasion. (This article was written by Kei Kobayashi, and correspondent Akihiko Kaise.)
2 days ago
- Politics
Ishiba, S. Korea's Lee Agree to Develop Stable Ties
News from Japan Jun 9, 2025 16:21 (JST) Tokyo, June 9 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung agreed Monday to develop stable relations between their countries. During their 25-minute phone talks, Ishiba and Lee affirmed the importance of cooperation between their countries and between the two plus the United States. They shared hopes to meet in person soon. Ishiba congratulated Lee on assuming the presidency, and noted that he hopes to further advance Japan-South Korea relations based on the foundation that the two governments have built. The Japanese leader also expressed his eagerness to cooperate with Lee in dealing with North Korea, including the issue of Japanese abductees in the reclusive country. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Editorial: New S. Korean president urged to stabilize politics, cooperate globally
Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's progressive Democratic Party, the main opposition party, has won the country's presidential election, reclaiming power from the conservative ruling People Power Party after three years. His election finally brings a six-month political vacuum period to an end, and there is an urgent need to restore political stability. The election followed the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol by the Constitutional Court after he declared martial law in December last year. Lee, who worked his way up to become a lawyer, entered national politics after serving as mayor of a city in the suburbs of Seoul. He now faces the pressing issue of overcoming intensifying partisan conflict and division. The martial law declaration and Yoon's subsequent impeachment exacerbated the rift between Yoon's supporters and denouncers. During the election campaign, Lee advocated for the "condemnation of insurgent forces," while his opponents focused on personal attacks against Lee, who was embroiled in scandals. In his inaugural speech, Lee pledged to end divisions in politics. With the Democratic Party holding a majority in the National Assembly, Lee has gained significant power. However, he must not use this numerical advantage to suppress dissent. Addressing the rapidly changing international situation is also an urgent task. While the country has made the U.S.-South Korea alliance a pillar of its security, it has been economically dependent on China. However, the Chinese economic slowdown and the high-tariff policies of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump have led to economic stagnation. Meanwhile, the Ukraine war has prompted North Korea and Russia to deepen military cooperation. The former Yoon administration focused its diplomacy on aligning with Japan and the U.S., whereas the preceding Moon Jae-in administration prioritized dialogue with North Korea. Lee's capability will be tested as he advocates for "pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests." In terms of Japan-South Korea relations, Lee criticized the Yoon administration's approach as "humiliating diplomacy," but during the election campaign, he positioned Japan as an "important cooperation partner." In his inaugural address, he also emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea. While historical and territorial issues remain between Japan and South Korea, the two countries share aligned interests in many areas. They must jointly emphasize the importance of free trade and international cooperation to the Trump administration. There is also potential for collaboration in establishing supply chains for strategic goods. Japan-South Korea relations must not be allowed to deteriorate again. Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba should leverage occasions such as international conferences to promptly arrange a summit, expediting the building of a trust-based relationship.
Yomiuri Shimbun
6 days ago
- General
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japanese PM Ishiba Seeks Early Summit with South Korea's Lee to Boost Bilateral Ties; Meeting Could Come as Early as This Month
The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Ishiba answers questions from reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday, following the South Korean presidential election. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is seeking an early in-person summit meeting with South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung, aiming to build a trusting relationship, potentially during an international conference to be held this month. Ishiba plans to have a telephone conversation soon and intends to call for continued cooperation in diplomacy and security, including among Japan, South Korea and the United States. While speaking to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday, Ishiba congratulated Lee, who advocates practical diplomacy, on his inauguration speech. 'This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. I want to strengthen Japan-South Korea and Japan-U.S.-South Korea cooperation with President Lee,' said Ishiba, adding that 'a summit meeting should be held as soon as possible.' The two leaders could potentially meet at either the Group of Seven summit in Canada or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in the Netherlands, both of which are scheduled for this month. South Korea is expected to be invited to the Group of Seven summit. June 22 will mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea, and commemorative events are scheduled in both countries. Bearing in mind Lee's repeated past criticism of Japan, the prime minister told reporters, 'While comments have been made previously, he also referred to Japan as an important partner during the election campaign.' 'By having a heart-to-heart talk and actively engaging with each other, I believe the bilateral ties will become stronger. As the government, we will also make efforts.' Many have expressed concern about the left wing, which has historically taken a tough stance on Japan regarding historical issues. However, in his inauguration speech, Lee emphasized practical diplomacy and mentioned 'South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation.' His comment is seen as a response to the administration of the U.S. President Donald Trump and the rapprochement between Russia and North Korea. 'Even if he may not be as eager as the previous administration [to engage with Japan], President Lee must also intend to stabilize Japan-South Korea relations given the current international climate,' a Foreign Ministry senior official said.
