President Lee Congratulates Japanese Prime Minister Sanae on Inauguration... Hopes to Strengthen Mutually Beneficial Cooperation

Sanae Takaichi Inaugurated as Japanese Prime Minister
President Lee Jae-myung: "Hope to Further Strengthen Mutually Beneficial Cooperation"
Possible Korea-Japan Summit at APEC in Gyeongju
Presidential Office: "Discussions Underway at Working Level"

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 21st, President Lee Jae-myung delivered a congratulatory message to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her inauguration, calling for the strengthening of "future-oriented, mutually beneficial cooperation."

Through his social networking service (SNS) account on this day, President Lee stated, "I congratulate Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her inauguration," and added, "At this critical juncture, I look forward to working with the Prime Minister to further strengthen future-oriented, mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries and peoples."

President Lee emphasized, "As neighbors sharing a front yard, Korea and Japan have developed cooperative relations in various fields including politics, security, economy, socio-culture, and people-to-people exchanges," adding, "We have now entered an era in which approximately 12 million people from both countries visit each other annually-something unimaginable 60 years ago."

He continued, "We stand at a significant turning point where we must open the next 60 years of Korea-Japan relations," and assessed that "amidst an international situation that is more uncertain than ever, the importance of Korea-Japan relations is greater than ever."

President Lee also mentioned the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju next week, expressing, "I look forward to meeting the Prime Minister in person in Gyeongju and having a constructive dialogue."

Meanwhile, the Presidential Office also expressed hope for "active exchanges with the new Prime Minister" regarding Sanae Takaichi's election as President of the Liberal Democratic Party and her inauguration as Japanese Prime Minister.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung, responding to related questions during a briefing, stated, "The leaders of Korea and Japan have developed bilateral relations through trust and communication," and explained, "It is our government's position to maintain the foundation of these advanced Korea-Japan relations and continue exchanges."

Regarding the possibility of a Korea-Japan summit on the occasion of APEC, spokesperson Kang said, "I understand that discussions are underway at the working level," and added, "We are looking forward to the summit."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.