South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio have commenced their summit meeting in South Korea.
On Friday afternoon, Yoon and Kishida initiated a small-scale bilateral meeting at the Presidential Office in Yongsan. The two leaders plan to hold an expanded meeting following this initial discussion.
This summit, marking the 12th Korea-Japan summit, coincides with Kishida’s visit to South Korea and is expected to be his final summit. He has chosen not to seek re-election in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election scheduled for September 27.
The meeting is Yoon and Kishida’s first since their talks in July in Washington, D.C., during the NATO summit. At this summit, the leaders are anticipated to focus on security issues, including North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and the trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan in response to North Korea’s increasing ties with Russia.
They are also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding and mutual cooperation to evacuate their nationals from a third country during emergencies.
The Japanese government has submitted a partial list of Koreans aboard the Ukishima Maru to our government. During Kishida’s last visit, this gesture appeared intended to maintain momentum for improving bilateral relations.
Yoon will likely urge Kishida to continue serving as a political elder in Japan even after his term ends, thereby acting as a bridge between the two countries when a new prime minister is elected.
Following the summit, a dinner event attended by the couples of both leaders is scheduled. On Saturday, Kishida will meet with Japanese and Korean students at Seoul National University in the Gwanak District of Seoul.