Korea-Japan Leaders to Meet Again in Andong on the 19th... Presidential Office: "Protocol Equivalent to a State Guest"

Expanding Shuttle Diplomacy Through 'Hometown Return Visit'... Reunion Four Months After Nara Summit
President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi Hold Third Summit and Joint Press Announcement
Dinner Features Dishes from Suun Japbang, Including Andong Jjimdak and Grilled Ribs
Cultural Diplomacy Through Suun Japbang Cuisine and Seonyujulbulnori Festival

On May 19, President Lee Jaemyung will host Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, with honors equivalent to those accorded to a state guest. The two leaders will hold a summit and share a dinner together. This marks their third meeting, coming four months after their previous summit in the Prime Minister's hometown of Nara Prefecture, Japan, on January 13. This time, they will meet in President Lee's hometown of Andong.

President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands after a joint press conference on the 13th at the summit venue in Nara Prefecture, Japan. January 13, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News.

Kang Yoo-jung, Chief Presidential Spokesperson, stated in a written briefing on the 17th, "This meeting is in the nature of a return visit to President Lee's hometown of Andong, following his visit to Prime Minister Takaichi's hometown of Nara Prefecture." She added, "We expect this occasion to serve as a meaningful opportunity to further deepen the close trust and friendship between the leaders of both countries."

This visit to Korea also demonstrates that the relationship between South Korea and Japan has entered a phase where it is managed through frequent direct communication between the leaders. Despite sensitive issues such as historical disputes, security, and economic cooperation remaining unresolved, the two leaders are seeking to maintain momentum for improving relations by combining official talks with opportunities for personal interaction. In particular, the 'hometown diplomacy' linking Nara Prefecture and Andong represents an effort to expand the bilateral relationship beyond government-level issue coordination, into the realm of emotional and cultural exchange.

On May 19, Prime Minister Takaichi will arrive at Daegu Airport in the afternoon and, after receiving an official welcome, will head to a hotel where both a small-group meeting and an expanded meeting are scheduled. President Lee will personally greet Prime Minister Takaichi at the hotel entrance. On-site, a traditional honor guard of 43 members and a military band of 29 members will escort the Prime Minister's motorcade, while a flag-bearing squad of 12 members will be positioned on either side of the hotel entrance. The Office of the President explained that these arrangements are "in line with the honors accorded to a state guest."

After the summit, a joint press announcement will be held, followed by a dinner that combines Andong's traditions with symbols of Korea-Japan harmony. The dinner will feature fusion Korean cuisine that incorporates dishes from "Suun Japbang," a historic cookbook from Andong's noble families. "Suun Japbang" is designated as Treasure No. 2134, and the dinner is designed to highlight both the dignity of Andong's traditions and a modern sensibility.

President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are taking a commemorative photo at Horyuji Temple, a representative cultural heritage site in Nara Prefecture, Japan, on the 14th. 2026.1.14 Yonhap News Agency

The signature dish is "Jeongyea," a chicken dish recorded in Suun Japbang. Jeongyea is regarded as the prototype of Andong Jjimdak and is a special chicken dish traditionally served to honored guests. For this dish, chicken thigh meat, Andong yam, carrots, and green onions are grilled in sesame oil, then braised in a soy sauce-based marinade, symbolizing a warm welcome for foreign guests. Tofu served with Andong Seoritae soy milk will be topped with burdock chips, a favorite ingredient in Nara Prefecture. Seasonal golden tilefish will be accompanied by a special sauce that blends Korean doenjang and Japanese miso. Grilled Andong Hanwoo beef ribs, Andong rice, and Sinseollo (royal hot pot) will serve as the main dishes, expressing the Andong scholar's spirit of "sincere hospitality to friends," according to Chief Spokesperson Kang.

The dinner beverages will also carry symbolic significance for both countries. The toast will feature "Cherry Blossom," a cocktail made with Andong's traditional liquor, Taesaju, and cherry blossom syrup. Taesaju is a modern reinterpretation of Gosamju, a traditional home-brewed liquor from Andong's noble families, said to have contributed to King Taejo Wanggeon's victory at the Battle of Gochang. Also served will be Andong's finest artisan soju made from premium local rice, Imanishi Shuzo's "Mimurosugi" sake from Mt. Miwa in Nara Prefecture, and a French Burgundy red wine. For dessert, traditional Korean jeon-yakgwa and Japanese mochi will be served on the same plate, symbolizing the hope for both countries to come together and move toward a future-oriented relationship. In Prime Minister Takaichi's accommodation, welcome gifts will include Wolyeong yakgwa and Taesaju, made with local Andong wheat and yam.

After the dinner, the two leaders will enjoy a piano performance and a piano-violin-cello trio by Yang Bang-ean, a Korean-Japanese musician. Yang Bang-ean, who served as music director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, has been active in both Japan and Korea. The performance will feature "Ashitaka and San" by Joe Hisaishi and "Pure Imagination" by Yang Bang-ean.

Subsequently, the leaders will move to the ferry landing at Hahoe Village to watch the traditional Seonyujulbulnori (boat and fireworks show) and the pansori performance "Like Scattering Fireworks." Seonyujulbulnori is a traditional festivity enjoyed since the mid-Joseon Dynasty by scholars of Hahoe Village along the Nakdong River in front of Buyongdae. The event will include the julbulnori, where bags of charcoal powder are set alight and sent down ropes strung between Buyongdae and Mansongjeong, creating a shower of sparks in the air, as well as the nakhwa-nori, in which bundles of burning pine branches are dropped from the Buyongdae cliff.

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