By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

President Lee Jae-myung held a South Korea-Japan summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Busan on September 30. The two leaders exchanged broad and in-depth views on ways to strengthen practical cooperation between South Korea and Japan and the necessity of cooperation at the regional and global levels.

The two leaders welcomed the completion of shuttle diplomacy between the two countries, marked by Prime Minister Ishiba's visit to Busan just one month after President Lee's visit to Japan last month.

They also expressed full agreement on the importance of Korea-Japan relations and shared the view that communication and cooperation between the two countries should continue based on the resumed shuttle diplomacy.

The two leaders welcomed the launch of the Korea-Japan “Consultative Body on Common Social Issues,” one of the most important follow-up measures from the previous summit, and agreed on the contents of a joint statement outlining its future operation.

They also noted that substantive cooperation between the two countries has been steadily progressing since the last summit, including the agreement to hold the Korea-Japan Science and Technology Cooperation Committee for the first time in 16 years since 2009. They pledged to continue efforts to build a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship.

Furthermore, the two leaders assessed that since the August summit, bilateral ministerial-level consultative bodies such as the Korea-Japan Defense Ministers' Meeting (September 8), the Economic Security Dialogue (September 10), and the Deputy Finance Ministers' Meeting (September 15) have been actively operating. They shared the view that it is necessary to further strengthen communication between the two countries.

President Lee mentioned the principle that while the past must be acknowledged, future-oriented cooperation must continue. He stated that accumulating meaningful cooperative achievements between the two countries could create a virtuous cycle that positively impacts dialogue on pending issues.

President Lee explained his government's efforts and policy vision for easing tensions and building trust to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula, requesting Japan's cooperation.

Both leaders reaffirmed their firm commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace.

Furthermore, the two leaders shared the view that amid a rapidly changing geopolitical environment and evolving trade order, Korea and Japan, as neighbors with similar positions and global cooperative partners, must act together to address challenges facing the international community.

They also broadened the scope of discussions to various issues, including cooperation on the Northern Sea Route, engaging in candid and open talks.