President Lee to Hold Summit with Takaichi in Andong... Discussion on 'Crude Oil and Petroleum Product Lending'

Third Summit in Four Months:
President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi Meet Again in Andong

Focus on Energy Security Cooperation in Wake of Iran Conflict

Finalizing Joint Document on Energy Partnership

Korean Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to Resume SAREX in Early June

On the 19th, President Lee Jae-myung will hold a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. This will be the third meeting between the two leaders, coming about four months after their previous summit on January 13 in Nara Prefecture, the hometown of Prime Minister Takaichi. President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi are expected to hold extensive discussions on measures to address the energy crisis triggered by the war in Iran.

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 January 14, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News.

Japanese media outlets such as the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Nikkei reported that President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi would discuss cooperation on energy security, including lending crude oil and petroleum products to respond to energy challenges. According to these reports, the core of the discussion will focus on a plan for mutual cooperation, whereby if one side faces an energy supply crisis, the other will lend crude oil and petroleum products. For petroleum products, jet fuel has been cited as a likely item for cooperation.

It has also been reported that the two sides are finalizing the announcement of a joint document on energy security cooperation, based on the summit. The document is expected to include plans to promote public-private dialogue to facilitate the smooth lending of crude oil and petroleum products between the two countries in emergencies, as well as to establish a new industrial and trade policy dialogue to further specify cooperation measures. If this policy dialogue is realized, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy from Korea and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry from Japan are expected to participate.

In addition, local media reported that other agenda items included measures to curb export restrictions on petroleum products, cooperation on crude oil procurement and transportation, strengthening the LNG (liquefied natural gas) supply chain, and mutual flexible arrangements. It was noted that Korea supplies 10% of its exported fuel oil to Japan, and considering that Japan and Korea are the world's second- and third-largest LNG importers respectively, these measures are expected to make a significant contribution to energy stability for both countries.

The Korean and Japanese leaders are also expected to discuss security-related issues. Citing multiple Japanese government officials, the Asahi Shimbun reported that the Republic of Korea Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force plan to resume the search and rescue joint exercise (SAREX) in early June. The last SAREX was held in 2017, meaning the exercise will resume after a nine-year hiatus.

Meanwhile, President Lee will present Prime Minister Takaichi with a wooden Hahoe mask frame from Andong on this day. The frame, consisting of nine types of Hahoe masks, is a symbolic gift representing harmony and wishing for the continued development of friendly relations between the two countries. In addition, inspired by hanji (traditional Korean paper) and ginseng—both emblematic exchange items during the Joseon Tongsinsa—President Lee has prepared a hanji leather bag and red ginseng. These gifts reaffirm the long-standing bonds between the two nations and express hope for their continuation. Alongside these, a porcelain moon jar frame has been prepared, symbolizing the wish for continued friendship between Korea and Japan.

The Blue House on the 19th unveiled the gifts prepared by President Lee Jae-myung for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her spouse during their visit to Korea.

Prime Minister Takaichi received nine types of Hahoe masks representing the regional characteristics of Andong and the meaning of harmony, a moon jar frame wishing for friendly relations between the two countries, and a hanji leather bag (plant-based leather made by bonding mulberry bark and cotton), inspired by hanji paper, a trading item from the Joseon Tongsinsa era. For her spouse, former member of the House of Representatives Taku Yamamoto, a snowflake celadon set depicting the snowy scenery and atmosphere of his hometown, Fukui Prefecture, was prepared as a gift.

Photo by Yonhap News

Citizens have also prepared gifts for Prime Minister Takaichi. The Andongpo Weaving Village Preservation Association, designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, has prepared a single-layer quilt made from Andongpo, a fabric that was once presented to the royal court, wishing for the Prime Minister's health and peace. The Andong Hahoe Village Clan Association has prepared a mini jangseung set, with the meaning that the jangseung—traditionally guardians protecting people from evil spirits or disease—reflects the role of the two leaders.

Prime Minister Takaichi's visit to Korea begins with a welcoming ceremony at Daegu Airport. President Lee will personally greet Prime Minister Takaichi at the entrance of the hotel where the summit is scheduled to take place. At the site, a traditional honor guard of 43 members and a military band of 29 will escort the Prime Minister's vehicle, according the visit the honors of a state guest. The two leaders will then proceed with a small-group summit, an expanded meeting, and a joint press conference in succession.

At the subsequent banquet, the dish "Jeongyea," a chicken recipe from "Suunjapbang," an old Andong cookbook, will be served. The celebratory drink will be a cocktail called "Cherry Blossom," made by adding cherry blossom syrup to Taesaju, Andong's traditional liquor. Also served will be the master's Andong Soju made from the finest local rice, Imanishi Brewery's Mimurosugi sake from Mount Miwa in Nara Prefecture, and French Burgundy red wine.

After the banquet, the two leaders will enjoy a piano performance by Yang Bang-ean, a Korean-Japanese pianist, as well as a piano, violin, and cello trio concert. The leaders will then move to the ferry dock at Hahoe Village to watch the "Seonyujulbulnori" (a traditional fireworks show on the river) and a pansori performance titled "Like Scattering Fireworks."

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