South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed to step up cooperation between the neighbors, whose relations are occasionally strained, as they both face growing uncertainty and regional challenges.
“I believe cooperation between Korea and Japan is now more important than ever and anything else, as we have to continue moving forward to a new, better future amid this complex, unstale international order,” Lee said at the outset of the summit Tuesday.
Takaichi said she renewed her determination to further improve Japan’s relations with South Korea “as I believe the two countries should cooperate and contribute for the stability in the region.”
“This year I will elevate Japan-South Korea relations even higher,” said Takaichi, who aims to secure stable ties with Seoul while Tokyo struggles with a worsening dispute with China.
The meeting could deliver a political win as Takaichi seeks to shore up her power. A few months after taking office, she enjoys strong approval ratings but her party has a majority in only one of two houses of Parliament. There is growing speculation she may be planning a snap election in hopes of gaining more seats.
