South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday during the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos.
Yoon arrived in Vientiane on Wednesday for the summit. He will hold his first summit with Ishiba, who took office on October 1. The meeting will take place just ten days into Ishiba’s term as Japan’s prime minister.
According to Yoon’s office, the Korea-Japan summit is expected to focus on the broader trajectory of bilateral relations rather than delving into specific current issues. The discussions will likely cover the historical complexities between the two countries and potential future directions for their partnership.
A senior official from the presidential office remarked that Ishiba’s recent statements emphasizing the importance of Japan-South Korea cooperation for mutual benefit reflect his commitment to maintaining close communication with Yoon, regardless of formalities.
The official acknowledged that the short duration of the meeting would limit the possibility of in-depth discussions but expressed hope that the two leaders would use the opportunity to reflect on the progress of Korea-Japan relations over the past two years. The leaders are also expected to share their perspectives on how to renew and strengthen ties ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations next year.
