South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, on Thursday during the ASEAN summit in Laos. This was their first official encounter just nine days after Ishiba took office on October 1.
During their meeting, Yoon expressed optimism about the future of Korea-Japan relations, emphasizing the importance of continuing the positive trajectory through active communication and shuttle diplomacy. He referenced the efforts of former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and noted, “Since my visit to Japan last March, we have seen significant positive developments in Korea-Japan relations.” Yoon attributed these changes to the strong trust between the leaders of both nations.
Yoon also pointed out that 2025 would mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan, expressing a desire for the two countries to work together to present a hopeful vision for the future and ensure that their citizens see tangible progress in the relationship.
In response, Ishiba thanked Yoon for his congratulations on his recent inauguration and stressed that “close cooperation between Japan and Korea is crucial for regional stability and peace in today’s strategic environment.” He also emphasized his commitment to building on the progress made by Yoon and the former Japanese Prime Minister, pledging to deepen ties through the shuttle diplomacy he mentioned.
Ishiba highlighted the importance of sustainable relations between the two countries, stating that exchanges and mutual understanding between their citizens are key to ensuring positive relations. He expressed hope that both governments would work to foster such ties as they approach the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization in 2025.
Most Commented