South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met for the first time on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, beginning a new phase in relations under Lee’s presidency. The two leaders pledged to work more closely together and keep open lines of communication to help build a stable and forward-looking partnership.
Their meeting came just days before the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan. Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening a partnership that is valued by the United States and closely watched by China and North Korea.
At their 30-minute meeting, President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation with their shared ally, the United States, particularly in confronting North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and addressing regional instability. Both leaders agreed to strengthen trilateral coordination and pledged to revive “shuttle diplomacy,” allowing them to hold regular meetings without formalities.
Lee described South Korea and Japan as “inseparable,” likening the relationship to “neighbors who share a front yard.” He acknowledged past tensions but emphasized the need to establish a forward-looking partnership that could withstand the pressures of global trade and evolving security dynamics. Lee also called for expanded cooperation in areas of mutual interest, highlighting the potential benefits of working together during challenging international conditions.
Despite having criticized past efforts to mend ties with Japan—once labeling a 2023 summit under former President Yoon Suk Yeol as a national embarrassment—Lee has moderated his rhetoric since taking office. He has adopted a more pragmatic approach, affirming that security cooperation with Japan and the U.S. will continue under his leadership. His early diplomatic gestures suggest a willingness to balance past grievances with future priorities.
In a sign of this commitment, South Korea, Japan, and the United States conducted a joint air drill on Wednesday—the first under Lee’s administration. Analysts say the decision to attend the G7 and engage directly with Japan signals his intent to show responsible leadership on global and regional stages.
Lee’s trip to Canada for the G7 summit marked his first overseas visit since winning the June 3 snap election, held after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached for briefly imposing martial law. While in Canada, Lee met with several global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and pushed for updates to South Korea’s trade agreement with the UK, his office said.
Both Lee and Ishiba had hoped to hold a three-way summit with U.S. President Donald Trump during the G7 to showcase strong trilateral ties, but the plan fell through after Trump cut his trip short.
