Seoul's Lee And Tokyo's Ishiba Off To A Surprisingly Warm Start

2025-06-23 12:02:04

(MENAFN- Asia Times) Attendees at a reception last week by the South Korean Embassy at Tokyo's New Otani Hotel, held to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan, were pleasantly surprised when Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba showed up to deliver a warm address.

He was followed by former prime ministers Fumio Kishida and Yoshihide Suga and accompanied by a host of Japanese dignitaries.

The celebratory mood reflected the view in Japan following the meeting between newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Ishiba at the Group of Seven (G7) Summit. That meeting was marked by not only cordiality but also a clear mutual desire to tighten cooperation.

Unspoken, but implicit, was the shared interest that both leaders have in countering the growing chaos in global affairs, from trade wars to actual wars, and their growing sense that the South Korea-Japan partnership is an effective response to the advent of Donald Trump's America-First regime.

“We have an inseparable relationship, like neighbors who share the same garden,” Lee said .“Even if we have small differences of opinion, I hope we can develop a relationship in which we cooperate and help each other in various areas.”

While the two governments continue to voice support for trilateral cooperation with the United States, it was evident that the real emphasis of their meeting was on bilateral links.

“With difficulties intensifying in terms of the international trade environment and international relations, South Korea and Japan can be of great help to one another when they cooperate in many areas in a relationship that is both close and complementary.” Lee reportedly said at the summit meeting.

Contrary to some expectations, Lee went out of his way to dispel the idea that he is bound to a hostile view toward Japan. He emphasized building a stable and respectful relationship as the two countries neared the sixtieth anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations on June 22.

Lee has by no means abandoned a critical view of Japan's colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula and the ongoing problems of apology and compensation for abuses, including sexual slavery and forced labor.

“We cannot dwell on the past,” Lee said in an interview with Time Magazine before the presidential election.“But Japan continues to deny its history and does not sincerely apologize, which hurts us Koreans.”

But Lee also called for separating those issues from the need for cooperation, particularly in dealing with common issues such as trade wars and challenges from China, Russia, and even North Korea.

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