What Did South Korean President Discuss with Ex-Japanese PM Suga?
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Synopsis
In a significant meeting, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and former Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga discussed enhancing bilateral relations. This marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing diplomatic efforts between Seoul and Tokyo, aiming for stronger ties and cooperation across various sectors.
Key Takeaways
- Meeting between Lee Jae Myung and Yoshihide Suga to enhance bilateral relations.
- Focus on increasing people-to-people exchanges to improve governmental ties.
- Discussion on resuming shuttle diplomacy for regular leader interactions.
- Positive sentiments expressed by both leaders regarding future cooperation.
- Emphasis on South Korea and Japan as important partners in regional stability.
Seoul, July 30 (NationPress) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held a meeting on Wednesday with former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to explore avenues for further enhancing the bilateral relationship between their countries, according to the presidential office.
Suga led a delegation from the Japan-South Korea Parliamentarians' Association, marking the first visit to Seoul by a high-ranking Japanese political figure since Lee took office in early June.
During the meeting at the presidential office, Lee expressed optimism, stating, "It is very encouraging that exchanges between the peoples of Korea and Japan have increased significantly and that mutual respect and favorability toward each other have greatly improved."
He emphasized that fostering closer people-to-people exchanges could enhance relations between both governments and lawmakers, ultimately benefiting bilateral ties.
Lee remarked, "As neighbors sharing the same backyard, I sincerely hope our two countries will continue to strengthen relations."
Suga shared this sentiment, committing to collaborate on deepening connections between Seoul and Tokyo across various sectors, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
The discussion also included strategies to resume "shuttle diplomacy", which entails regular exchanges between leaders, as part of efforts to advance bilateral relations, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.
This meeting coincided with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun visiting Tokyo for discussions with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya during his inaugural overseas trip since taking office last week.
Earlier that day, Cho met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who reaffirmed his commitment to fostering and enhancing good relations with Seoul.
During their brief 15-minute meeting at the prime minister’s residence, Ishiba emphasized, "While maintaining and building on the favorable momentum in South Korea-Japan relations, I also intend to advance cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan."
Hayashi remarked that he believes communication between the two nations has been robust since the inception of the Lee Jae Myung administration, characterizing South Korea and Japan as "important neighbors and partners" on numerous international issues.
Point of View
I emphasize the importance of fostering diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan. Both nations share a complex history, but the recent dialogues signal a commitment to overcoming past grievances and working towards a collaborative future. It is essential for both countries to recognize their interdependence and act as responsible neighbors on the global stage.
NationPress
31/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main topic of the meeting between Lee and Suga?
The main topic was to explore ways to enhance bilateral relations between South Korea and Japan.
Who accompanied Suga during his visit to Seoul?
Suga was accompanied by a delegation from the Japan-South Korea Parliamentarians' Association.
What is shuttle diplomacy?
Shuttle diplomacy refers to the regular exchanges between leaders aimed at improving diplomatic relations.
What did Lee express hope for during the meeting?
Lee expressed hope for continued strengthening of relations between the two countries.
How did Suga respond to the meeting's discussions?
Suga pledged to work together to deepen ties between Seoul and Tokyo across various areas.
