Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. Relations are building under the leadership of Prime Minister Ishiba and President Yoon.

On the 4th of this month, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivered his first policy speech since taking office at a plenary session of both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. He also mentioned Japan-Korea relations, saying, "It is extremely important for the interests of both Japan and Korea that Japan and Korea work closely together."
On the 2nd, Ishiba held a telephone conversation with President Yoon Seok-yeol, where he praised President Yoon for his efforts in developing relations between Japan and South Korea, and stated his intention to continue to cooperate closely in the future.
According to reports, the two leaders are arranging for a face-to-face meeting to coincide with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos this week.
On the 27th of last month, the LDP presidential election to decide the successor to former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was held. A record nine candidates ran in the presidential election. None of the candidates received a majority in the first round of voting, so a runoff election was held.
As a result of the vote, Ishihara was elected as the 28th president, defeating Sanae Takaichi, who had been the top candidate in the first round of voting. Ishihara won the position in his fifth attempt at the presidential election.
When Ishiba was selected as the new president, South Korean media also reported the news in detail. After reporting the election results, the public broadcaster KBS said,
Regarding the new president, "He has been notable for expressing a dovish view of history that differs from that of right-wing lawmakers within the LDP, and he has also opposed visits to Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines Class A war criminals from the Pacific War.
The article also said, "Even when Korea-Japan relations deteriorated, he has shown a positive will to improve relations."
The Dong-A Ilbo reported, "He was in conflict with the conservative hardliner Mr. Abe (former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe) and was a non-mainstream
"Ishiba has been evaluated as a relatively positive person on Korea-Japan relations among the LDP's leading politicians," he said, introducing him as "a moderate compared to Takaichi, who has a right-wing tendency and openly declared that she would visit the Yasukuni Shrine (during the presidential election)."
Hankyoreh introduced him as "among the LDP politicians, he is one of the more forward-thinking politicians on the issue," but also said that the ruling by the South Korean Supreme Court ordering Japanese companies to pay compensation in the former forced labor lawsuit issue was a national
He also pointed out that he believes that the move violates international law and that South Korea is asserting sovereignty over the Takeshima Islands (known as Dokdo in Korean) in Shimane Prefecture, which are under the effective control of South Korea. He expressed concern that the prime minister is a conservative politician in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Following the election of Ishiba as the new president, the South Korean President's Office commented on the future of Japan-South Korea relations on the 27th of last month, "The two countries share the values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, and have common interests in security, the economy, and the global agenda."
"Japan is our closest neighbor and cooperative partner, and we will continue to work hard to maintain the positive momentum of Korea-Japan relations," he said.
Lee Jae-myung, the party's leader, said of Ishiba, "As the head of the opposition party in a neighboring country, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations. I hope this will be an opportunity for Korea-Japan relations to develop into a future-oriented relationship."
On the other hand, he said, "The problem will not be solved by covering up or turning a blind eye" to historical issues. He added, "I hope that Germany will acknowledge the facts, offer a full apology, and act as a leading country in Europe."
"Just as Korea has been positioned as a leading country, I hope Japan will also be positioned as a leading country in Northeast Asia," he said, emphasizing, "I hope that Korea-Japan relations will also be established and developed on a new foundation."
On the 4th, Ishiba delivered his first policy speech since assuming his new post as Prime Minister. He also mentioned Japan-Korea relations. "Although there are difficult issues between Japan and Korea, we will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations next year, and I would like to work closely with Kishida (former Prime Minister) to resolve these issues," he said.
"Based on the trust built between the Prime Minister and President Yoon Seok-youl, we will make cooperation between Japan and the ROK even stronger and broader in scope."
Prior to this, Ishiba held a telephone conversation with Yoon on the 2nd.
They also agreed that amid continuing provocations by North Korea, it is necessary for Japan, South Korea, and Japan, the United States and South Korea to respond in unison.
After dissolving the House of Representatives on the 9th, Ishiba is scheduled to visit Laos and attend ASEAN-related summits. According to Yonhap News, a senior official in the South Korean presidential office told reporters on the 3rd, "(Prime Minister Ishiba)
"We are discussing a Korea-Japan summit on the premise that Prime Minister Ishiba will visit Laos," the South Korean media outlet E-Daily said.
It will be interesting to see whether they can deepen their friendship."