South Korea’s New Leader Urges Partnership with Japan

(MENAFN) South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called for “better future” with Japan on Monday, underscoring the critical role both nations play in navigating a swiftly shifting global landscape, a local news agency reported.

Delivering a video address for a ceremony hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Seoul marking 60 years of diplomatic relations, Lee stressed the importance of collaboration between the neighboring countries. "South Korea and Japan are key partners who must cooperate closely in responding to a rapidly changing global landscape. Let's join hands and move toward a better future," he said, according to the news agency.

Lee’s remarks come against the backdrop of a complex history, with South Korea having been under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945.

The South Korean president did not attend the event physically, as he had already left for Canada to take part in an expanded Group of Seven (G7) summit meeting.

Notably, Lee’s tone marks a departure from his previous critical stance toward Japan, as he appears focused on preserving the progress made in bilateral ties during the last conservative government.

He is advocating a “two-track” approach, aiming to separate ongoing forward-looking cooperation from lingering historical disputes tied to Japan’s colonial legacy.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is slated to join a diplomatic meeting in Tokyo on June 19, commemorating the 60th anniversary of normalized Korea-Japan relations, local media reported.

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