Lee strikes hopeful note on South Korea-Japan relationsーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• South Korea-Japan Relations: The summary focuses on the recent meeting between South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, aiming to improve bilateral ties.
• Presidential Concerns and Pragmatism: President Yoon's initial concerns about Kishida's conservative stance and past criticisms of Japan are contrasted with his current pragmatic approach emphasizing cooperation.
• Prime Ministerial Reassurance: Prime Minister Kishida's efforts to ease South Korean concerns through personal anecdotes and a forward-looking cooperative stance.
• Bilateral Cooperation: The emphasis on mutual benefit and future-oriented collaboration between the two nations.

Summit and Bilateral Relations

The transcript details a news conference held by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol following the Apex summit, where he addressed concerns regarding the relationship between South Korea and Japan. President Yoon met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier in the week, marking their first summit since Kishida assumed the premiership.

President Yoon's Perspective

President Yoon acknowledged initial doubts about Prime Minister Kishida, stating, "Before we met, I was actually a bit worried about Prime Minister Takahuchi." However, after their in-person meeting and discussion, he expressed a positive shift in his perception: "But after meeting in person and speaking with her for a while, I realized she's an excellent politician with the same views." This praise was noted as being stronger than anticipated, especially considering President Yoon's past criticisms during his 2021 presidential campaign. At that time, he had accused Japan of "still dreaming of becoming a military superpower" and of not showing "sincere remorse for its wartime actions." Since becoming president in June, Yoon has adopted a more pragmatic approach, prioritizing cooperation.

Prime Minister Kishida's Reassurance

Prime Minister Kishida also appeared to value cooperation and sought to alleviate concerns. When questioned about the potential for improved ties, she reportedly attempted to ease anxieties by mentioning her fondness for Korean seaweed and Korean cosmetics. Kishida stated, "We will be able to move to a much better stage than now by cooperating well. We see the issues as they are and move hand in hand towards the future." She further emphasized the potential for mutual benefit, asserting, "South Korea and Japan can develop a relationship that's beneficial to each other."

Future Cooperation and Personal Connection

The commitment to frequent engagement was highlighted, with Kishida suggesting, "I thought we should meet often." In a gesture aimed at fostering a personal connection and demonstrating a forward-looking approach, she even proposed visiting Nara Prefecture, Kishida's hometown.

Conclusion

The summary highlights a significant diplomatic interaction aimed at mending and strengthening South Korea-Japan relations. President Yoon's shift from past criticism to a pragmatic, cooperative stance, coupled with Prime Minister Kishida's efforts to reassure and emphasize mutual benefit, suggests a potential for a more positive and collaborative future for the two nations. The emphasis is on moving past historical issues and focusing on shared interests and future development.