The two leaders agreed to continue to work together to achieve this goal. A joint document summarizing the results of the talks was compiled for the first time in 17 years. National Security Advisor Wi Seong-rak, who accompanied Lee on his visit to Japan, said on the 24th, "The personal trust between the leaders has grown.
On the other hand, former comfort women and forced labor support groups have criticized the government for making too many concessions to Japan and for not making progress on historical issues.
He also emphasized that "we believe there has been some progress on the issue of the two countries' relations," and that "mutual trust and expectations (with Japan) have increased."
The Hankyoreh, meanwhile, said in an editorial on the 25th, "President Lee has decided to prevent a setback in relations with Japan and advance the relationship under a vision for future cooperation."
"I would like you to calmly reflect on what you will gain and what you will lose through this," he said. Lee's first visit to Japan was positioned as the first in a series of "shuttle diplomacy" exchanges between leaders.
Shuttle diplomacy is a system in which the Japanese prime minister and the South Korean president visit each other to discuss issues between the two countries. This had been suspended for a long time due to the deterioration of relations between the two countries, but Yoon, who tried to improve relations with Japan,
The two countries resumed their visit for the first time in 12 years in May 2023 during the administration of the previous president, Yoon Seok-yeol. Lee, who took office as president in June this year, also expressed his desire to visit Japan as soon as possible after winning the presidential election.
The meeting lasted approximately two hours. First, a small meeting was held with limited attendees, and then an expanded meeting was held. At the beginning, Ishiba said, "In this extremely difficult strategic environment, I am visiting Japan for the first time.
"I am very encouraged by your question," Lee said. In response, Lee said, "I hope you understand that I attach great importance to Korea-Japan relations."
During the meeting, the two leaders stated that they would build on the foundations that have been built since the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea in 1965, and further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
They also confirmed their intention to cooperate in efforts to deter North Korea's nuclear and missile development, and to strengthen relations in a wide range of areas, including economic and cultural exchanges and measures to address the declining birthrate and aging population.
They also agreed to expand the working holiday program in order to further increase people-to-people exchanges.
Lee is known for his long history of taking a tough stance against Japan.
Lee, who was the leader of the largest opposition party under the previous Yoon administration, which established a friendly relationship with Japan, criticized Yoon's policy toward Japan as "humiliating diplomacy." However, when he ran for president in June, Lee was the first to be named.
As he was seen as a leading candidate and it became more likely that he would become South Korea's leader, he stopped making "hardline" remarks against Japan. In a video posted on social media in May, with the presidential election approaching, he mentioned Japan-South Korea relations and said,
"I really want to be friends with Japan," he said, expressing his desire to promote cooperation with Japan in areas such as cultural exchange and the economy. As president, Lee has advocated "pragmatic diplomacy" and has not addressed historical issues.
In regards to the issue, he has indicated his intention to follow the agreements and solutions reached by past administrations. At this meeting, Ishiba stated, "We will continue to work on the issues including the 1998 Japan-Korea Joint Declaration (which includes remorse and apologies for colonial rule)."
In response, Lee said, "We will treat difficult issues as difficult issues, but we will cooperate in areas where we can."
On the 24th, the day after the meeting, National Security Advisor Wi, who accompanied Lee on his visit to Japan, said, "Two months after taking office as president, we will quickly revive shuttle diplomacy and strengthen cooperation between Korea, Japan and the United States."
On the other hand, he revealed that the historical issues were discussed in a small group meeting, and said, "Rather than being specific issues, how to deal with the issues will have an impact on the present."
However, support groups for former comfort women and former forced laborers unanimously criticized the meeting.
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance (KCR) expressed regret, saying, "History and justice have been hidden under the pretext of practical diplomacy." The Korean Council for National Ethnic Studies (KCES) said, "The results of the meeting turned their backs on history and justice. We must not be disappointed."
Regarding such criticism, Lee said at a press conference held on the presidential plane on the 24th, "I was prepared to face such criticism," and added, "It is a historical
"There has been some progress on the historical issue," he countered, adding, "I think that only when understanding deepens can we take more proactive steps on the historical issue. If we are given a little more time, we can see visible results on the historical and territorial issues."
The South Korean media has been divided on the content of the meeting. In an editorial dated the 25th, the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo stated that in light of the anti-Japanese tendencies that the ruling Democratic Party of Korea has shown up until now,
It said that this is "unusual" in light of the situation, and added, "We hope that President Lee's diplomatic choices, which prioritize national interests over the feelings of his supporters (who are strongly anti-Japanese), will continue in the future."
"Regardless of the change of government, the meeting will be recorded as a meeting that sought the continuity and even sustainability of the relationship between the two countries," the Hankyoreh said in an editorial on the same day.
The "Joint Document" released after the meeting stated, "The normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965 was a milestone for the two countries.
Regarding the inclusion of a sentence saying that the relationship will be developed based on the foundation that has been built since then, he said, "If President Lee were to follow through on the promises he made with Japan, Korea's independent relations would be in the future.
"It will become difficult for Japan to ensure its own strategic autonomy."
2025/08/26 11:12 KST
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