Lee, Ishiba Agree to Boost Ties with US On Regional Security, North Korea

KANANASKIS (Canada), June 18 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba have agreed to bolster trilateral cooperation with the United States (US) to address regional security issues, including North Korea, in their first summit held on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) meeting.

In a 30-minute meeting, both leaders exchanged views on maintaining peace and stability in the region and agreed to enhance bilateral ties, Yonhap news agency reported according to a statement from Lee’s office.

“They agreed to further develop trilateral cooperation among South Korea, US and Japan to respond to various regional geopolitical crises, including the North Korean issue, and to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two nations,” the statement said.

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The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to resuming shuttle diplomacy and to advancing related discussions between their respective governments.

Lee noted that South Korea and Japan should pursue future-oriented cooperation in light of growing challenges in global trade, describing Japan as an “inseparable” neighbour.

“As challenges in the international trade environment and global affairs continue to grow, I believe close and complementary partners like the Republic of Korea and Japan can greatly benefit from cooperating in many areas,” Lee told Ishiba, the statement added.

Both countries are among the world’s leading exporters and are significantly affected by US President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on vehicles, auto parts, steel and aluminium.

Negotiations are ongoing between Seoul and Tokyo to mitigate the potential economic impact.

Ishiba also underscored the importance of bilateral ties amid global tensions, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and expressed hope that cooperation would be deepened across all sectors to mark the 60th anniversary of normalised diplomatic relations.

Ahead of his visit, Lee delivered a video message to an event commemorating the anniversary, calling on both nations to work together for a better future.

Lee, who advocates pragmatic diplomacy, has signalled a shift from his earlier, more critical stance on Japan.

He has pledged to sustain the positive momentum in bilateral ties fostered under the previous conservative administration, and to pursue a “two-track” approach -- promoting forward-looking cooperation while addressing historical issues separately, particularly those stemming from Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP