President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru shake hands after a press release/ YonhapSEOUL, August 23 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru agreed Saturday to establish a bilateral consultative body to address shared challenges including low birth rates, aging populations, and disaster management following their summit meeting in Tokyo. The leaders also committed to close coordination on North Korea policy and strengthening trilateral cooperation with the United States, according to a joint statement released after the talks.
Lee emphasized that both leaders recognized the critical importance of unwavering Korea-Japan and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation frameworks with Washington.
The summit covered extensive discussions on Korean Peninsula denuclearization, economic cooperation in hydrogen and artificial intelligence sectors, and various social policy challenges. Lee said the talks addressed common issues facing both nations including low birth rates, metropolitan area concentration, agriculture, and disaster safety management through the proposed joint consultative mechanism.
On security matters, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and building lasting peace. They agreed to maintain close coordination on North Korea policies while supporting successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju in October and the Korea-Japan-China trilateral summit chaired by Japan.
Lee highlighted the historic nature of his visit, noting he became the first South Korean president to choose Japan as the initial bilateral destination after taking office since diplomatic normalization in 1965. The joint document release marked the first such announcement following a Korea-Japan summit in 17 years, demonstrating the countries' commitment to relationship development.
The leaders agreed to resume shuttle diplomacy between the two nations and expand youth exchanges through increased working holiday program participation. Lee described the summit as launching a new journey toward building genuine trust between the two countries and their peoples.
Lee characterized both nations as optimal partners for mutually beneficial cooperation across social, cultural, and environmental sectors. He emphasized his administration's commitment to practical diplomacy centered on national interests while pursuing future-oriented win-win cooperation pathways with Japan.
reporter
Candice Kim
candicekim1121@ajupress.com
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