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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

President Lee hopes Korea, Japan become 'closer and even closer'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met with a delegation from the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union, expressing a desire for closer bilateral ties.
  • He stated that improving relations between South Korea and Japan is mutually beneficial, especially amid complex global dynamics.
  • The delegation, led by Ryota Takeda, emphasized the importance of parliamentary exchanges and noted the current high level of trust between the two nations.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met with a delegation from the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union, expressing a strong desire for the two nations to become "closer and even closer." He noted that while Korea and Japan are often described as "close yet distant," he hopes their relationship will significantly improve.

Korea and Japan are often described as 'close yet distant,' but I hope that as the relationship between Korea and Japan improves further, we will become 'closer and even closer.'

— President Lee Jae-myungPresident Lee expressed his aspirations for the future of South Korea-Japan relations.

During the meeting at the Blue House, President Lee highlighted the current complex and fluid international landscape, stating that improved Korea-Japan relations would benefit both countries. He emphasized the importance of not only people-to-people and high-level exchanges but also active cooperation between parliamentarians from both nations.

In complex and fluid international relations, improving Korea-Japan relations would be beneficial for both countries.

— President Lee Jae-myungPresident Lee highlighted the geopolitical context for strengthening bilateral ties.

Ryota Takeda, chairman of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union, praised the ongoing shuttle diplomacy between the two countries. He cited a Japanese newspaper report indicating that mutual trust between South Korea and Japan has reached 70%, describing the current relationship as very positive and stressing the need for its continuation.

The shuttle diplomacy between the two countries is being carried out wonderfully.

— Ryota TakedaTakeda commented on the positive momentum in high-level exchanges between Japan and South Korea.

Takeda also pointed to the recent visit of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won to Japan, where he reportedly called the relationship between Japan and Korea a "must," not just a "choice." Takeda underscored the inseparable nature of Korea-Japan relations in technological cooperation, particularly in artificial intelligence and semiconductors, which underpin the global economy. He also stressed the need for both nations to unite as "two middle powers" to stabilize the global order amidst geopolitical instability, especially concerning North Korea's nuclear capabilities.

Now the relationship between Japan and Korea is not a 'choice' but a 'must.'

— Chey Tae-wonTakeda quoted SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won on the essential nature of Korea-Japan cooperation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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