President Lee Holds 105-Minute Talks with Takaichi... Korea and Japan to Strengthen Crude Oil Stockpiling Information Sharing

Joint Press Announcement Following Small-Group and Expanded Summits

"Trilateral Cooperation Among Korea, Japan, and China Is Also Important, Following Korea-Japan and Korea-U.S.-Japan Collaboration"

Korean Peninsula Situation Addressed as a Key Agenda... "Explained the Vision of a Korean Peninsula of Peace Without the Need for Conflict"

DNA Analysis of Remains from Josei Coal Mine to Begin Soon... "A First Step Toward Humanitarian Cooperation"

"First Mutual Visits to Each Other’s Hometowns by the Leaders of Korea and Japan... Shuttle Diplomacy Fully Established"

Takaichi: "Strengthening Energy Security Through Mutual Flexibility and Swap Trading of Crude Oil and More"

On May 19, President Lee Jae-myung held a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Andong, the hometown of President Lee. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to jointly respond to supply chain and energy market instability arising from unrest in the Middle East. Furthermore, both countries decided to expand supply chain cooperation based on the "Korea-Japan Supply Chain Partnership" and the "LNG Supply and Demand Cooperation Agreement" signed in March. They also agreed to strengthen information sharing and communication channels related to LNG and crude oil supply and stockpiling.

President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands ahead of the extended summit on the 19th at a hotel in Andong, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Yonhap News

After the summit, President Lee stated in a joint press announcement held at a hotel in Andong, Gyeongbuk, "We agreed that the need for close cooperation between the two countries has grown even greater regarding supply chain and energy market instability stemming from recent developments in the Middle East." He added, "We also shared the view that peace and stability must be quickly restored in the Middle East."

Prime Minister Takaichi also said, "We agreed to continue our efforts to promote progress in the situation, including ensuring the free and safe navigation of the Strait of Hormuz." She continued, "Supply chain cooperation between Korea and Japan, including for critical minerals, is important," and added, "We have agreed to strengthen energy security between our two countries, including enhancing reserves in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as enabling mutual flexibility and swap trading of crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG." Prime Minister Takaichi also proposed in the summit that Korea and Japan deepen resource supply chain cooperation with other Asian countries facing supply chain crises, through close collaboration. President Lee expressed his agreement and his intention to actively participate.

President Lee emphasized the importance of not only Korea-Japan and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation for regional peace and stability, but also trilateral cooperation among Korea, China, and Japan. He assessed the recent upgrade of the Korea-Japan Security Policy Consultative Meeting to the vice-ministerial level for the first time as a very meaningful progress, and stated, "Given that Northeast Asia is closely interconnected in various aspects such as economy and security, I stressed that for genuine peace and stability in the region, it is important for Korea, China, and Japan to respect and cooperate with each other and seek common interests." In response, Prime Minister Takaichi said, "Given the current international situation, it is important for Korea and Japan to actively work together to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including maintaining and strengthening deterrence and response capabilities through the U.S.-Japan alliance, the Korea-U.S. alliance, and strategic partnerships."

The situation on the Korean Peninsula was also a major agenda item. President Lee stated, "I explained to Prime Minister Takaichi our government’s position of building a 'Korean Peninsula of Peace' where the South and North coexist peacefully and grow together without the need for conflict." Regarding the North Korean issue, Prime Minister Takaichi said, "We discussed responses to North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues," and added, "We reaffirmed that Korea, Japan, and the United States will respond in close coordination." Regarding the issue of Japanese abductions, she said, "I once again thank President Lee for expressing support for the immediate resolution."

Future industrial cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), space exploration, and biotechnology was also discussed. President Lee said, "If our two countries strengthen a mutually beneficial and strategic cooperation base in the AI sector, building on each country’s respective strengths, companies and citizens from both Korea and Japan can become leaders in a 'global AI foundational society'." The two countries also held in-depth discussions on cooperation in advanced technology fields such as space exploration and biotechnology. Prime Minister Takaichi said, "Regarding AI, which is both a new challenge and opportunity, as well as the increasingly important issue of economic security, we will continue discussions among relevant authorities with the aim of promoting mutually beneficial cooperation so that both Korea and Japan can become stronger and more prosperous together."

In the area of public safety, joint response to transnational scam crimes was highlighted as a major achievement. President Lee said in reference to the "Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Response to Transnational Scam Crimes" signed between the two police agencies, "This will serve as a strong foundation to significantly improve the speed and efficiency of investigations and protect citizens of both countries from the threat of crime." The two countries also agreed to continue discussions on personal data protection cooperation in the AI era. Prime Minister Takaichi also welcomed the signing of the memorandum on organizational fraud response, saying, "Transnational organized fraud is a common challenge for both Korea and Japan."

President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are holding an expanded summit meeting on the 19th at a hotel in Andong, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Korea and Japan also made progress on humanitarian cooperation related to historical issues. President Lee said, "DNA analysis of remains excavated from Japan's Josei coal mine will soon begin," and added, "Through close working-level consultations between diplomatic authorities, the specific procedures and methods for DNA analysis have been agreed upon." He continued, "This will be a small but meaningful first step for the two countries to cooperate on humanitarian matters related to historical issues."

This summit took place four months after President Lee visited Prime Minister Takaichi's hometown in Nara Prefecture, Japan, in January. President Lee remarked, "This is the first time that the leaders of Korea and Japan have visited each other's hometowns, which is a rare occurrence even globally," and added, "The fact that such a meaningful and historic exchange took place in just four months demonstrates the deep and strong friendship and bond shared by Korea and Japan."

President Lee also emphasized the significance of expanding the stage for shuttle diplomacy beyond Seoul and Tokyo to regional cities such as Busan, Gyeongju, Nara, and Andong. He stated, "Annual people-to-people exchanges between Korea and Japan reach 13 million, and young generations of both countries are actively visiting each other's regional cities to discover their hidden charms," and added, "Now, Korea-Japan relations are expanding beyond the capitals, reaching every corner of both countries and ushering in a new horizon."

President Lee also highlighted that over the past seven months, he has met with Prime Minister Takaichi four times, evaluating that shuttle diplomacy has become established. He said, "This means that shuttle diplomacy, whereby the leaders of the two countries can meet and communicate whenever necessary without being bound by formality, has been fully established," and added, "As we mark a new 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan relations, I hope that forward-looking cooperation—tangible to the citizens of both countries—will continue to expand." Prime Minister Takaichi, regarding the location of the next meeting, said, "Shall we go to a hot spring the next time you visit Japan? Where shall we go? I am really looking forward to it. I will make sure to take you to a beautiful place."

Small-Group and Expanded Summits Last 105 Minutes... President Lee: "Amid the Storms of International Affairs, Korea and Japan Are Important Partners"

On this day, the two leaders held a 33-minute small-group meeting and a 72-minute expanded summit, discussing ways to deepen bilateral relations for a total of 105 minutes. In his opening remarks at the expanded summit, President Lee said, "When I visited your hometown of Nara last January, I received truly exceptional hospitality. Today, it is very meaningful and an honor to welcome you here in my hometown of Andong, where I was born and raised." He continued, "You were inaugurated last October, and yet this is already our fourth meeting since then, which truly demonstrates the essence of Korea-Japan shuttle diplomacy."

President Lee also stressed the need for cooperation among allied countries in light of recent international developments, describing them as "stormy." He said, "Now more than ever, cooperation and communication among allies are needed," and added, "Through strong bilateral cooperation and by overcoming international challenges together, we can truly feel how important partners Korea and Japan are to each other."

President Lee also mentioned bilateral cooperation for the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He explained, "To ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, our two countries participated in the Hormuz Strait Initiative led by the UK and France and various resolutions of the international community." He also introduced that Prime Minister Takaichi hosted the Asia Carbon Neutral Community Plus Summit, which was attended by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, and shared the example of the two countries providing each other with airplane seats to bring home citizens stranded in the Middle East.

In her opening remarks, Prime Minister Takaichi said, "In January, President Lee visited Nara Prefecture, and this time, I am very pleased to be able to practice shuttle diplomacy in President Lee's hometown of Andong." She added, "The international community is currently facing a very difficult period, including the situation in the Middle East," and continued, "It is extremely important for our two countries to play a central role in stabilizing the Indo-Pacific region."

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