Tokyo (AP) – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung I’m in Tokyo to hold his first full summit with the Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru Mainly on visits aimed at introducing friendly ties between their mutual allies, a common challenge from the United States.
Lee’s Saturday visit comes in an unusual order – putting Japan ahead of the US – helped him prepare better with the US president for his important first summit in Washington Donald Trumpmainly on trade and defense issues.
His visit to Tokyo before Washington has been well received by Japanese officials who view Lee as a sign of being extremely important. The relationship between two neighbors That relationship has been repeatedly confused by historical conflicts, preventing trilateral coordination with Washington.
For Isba, he faces pressure from right-wing rivals within his governing party. Resigns from the loss of elections in JulyLee’s visit and a successful summit allowed him to strengthen his support.
Nishimura Lintaro, an associate in the Japanese division of Asia Group, said the timing of Lee’s visit indicates “his practical way of diplomacy.”
For the two leaders who last met on the sidelines of the group at the seven summits in June, Saturday’s talk is largely symbolic, highlighting their friendship and aims to mark the 60th anniversary of normalizing diplomatic relations this year.
Possible outcomes of the meeting include high-speed truck entry visas and working holiday programs for Korean travelers.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss mutual concerns, such as the development of North Korea’s nuclear and missiles and the growing Chinese assertion in the region.
Isba, who met Trump in Washington in February and discussed with him at the June G7 Summit, has Customs transaction resolved Before Korea, he will allow him to coordinate with Lee before his summit in the US
The summit comes days after the two leaders signal a reconciliatory approach to each other.
His August 15th Address to mark release From Japan’s colonization of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945, Lee asked both sides to overcome frustrations rooted in Japan’s brutal domination and to build future-oriented connections, but he urged Tokyo to face problems that would not be resolved and to strive to maintain trust.
In an interview with the Japanese conservative Yomiuri newspaper released Thursday, Lee also said that despite harsh feelings remained among many Koreans, he would stick to past agreements with the Japanese government regarding forced labor issues and sexual abuse of so-called “consolation women.”
Isba, who acknowledged Japan’s wartime invasion and expressed sympathy for Asian victims, He expressed his regret in the war He called the mistake, restoring the words for the first time since the removal by former Prime Minister Abe in 2013 at the address of the Japanese leader’s surrender anniversary on August 15th.
