Korea-Japan Leaders Hold 105-Minute Summit in Andong, Join Forces to Address Instability Stemming from the Middle East

Expansion of Supply Chain Cooperation Including LNG
Crude Oil and Petroleum Product Swaps and Mutual Supply
Concrete Implementation Measures to Be Discussed and Announced

President Lee Stresses Importance of Korea-China-Japan Cooperation
Explains Vision for a Peaceful Korean Peninsula
Substantive Cooperation in Advanced Industries and Public Safety Also Discussed

On the 19th, President Lee Jae-myung held a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Andong, Gyeongbuk, President Lee's hometown, and agreed to jointly respond to supply chain and energy market instability resulting from the prolonged unrest in the Middle East. The two leaders also shared the outcomes of last week's U.S.-China summit as well as recent communications with the U.S. side, and agreed to strengthen strategic dialogue amid rapidly changing global affairs.

President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are shaking hands after completing a joint press conference at a hotel in Andong, Gyeongbuk on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News.

This summit marked the fourth meeting between President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi since Prime Minister Takaichi took office, and, following President Lee's visit to Prime Minister Takaichi's hometown of Nara Prefecture, Japan, in January this year, it was the second round of shuttle diplomacy in four months. Combined, the two leaders held a total of 105 minutes of meetings, including a small-group session and an expanded session, to discuss at length issues such as the situation in the Middle East, the results of the U.S.-China summit, supply chain and energy security, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and measures for substantive cooperation between the two countries.

The main agenda was the instability originating in the Middle East. The two leaders agreed on the need for peace and stability to be restored in the region as soon as possible, and discussed each country's response and ways to advance cooperation regarding passage through the Strait of Hormuz. In a joint press statement, President Lee said, "We agreed that the need for close cooperation between the two countries has grown even greater regarding the supply chain and energy market instability arising from the recent situation in the Middle East."

In particular, the two countries agreed to expand supply chain cooperation based on the "Korea-Japan Supply Chain Partnership" and the "LNG Supply Cooperation Agreement" signed in March. The two governments plan to announce concrete implementation measures through consultations between their respective industrial authorities, including crude oil and petroleum product swaps and mutual supply, cooperation in crude oil procurement and transport, LNG supply cooperation, and strengthening supply chain resilience. Prime Minister Takaichi spoke in more specific terms about energy security cooperation. She said that both countries would continue efforts to secure free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the core of Korea-Japan cooperation would be on strengthening reserves in the Indo-Pacific region and on mutually flexible swap transactions of crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG.

President Lee Jae-myung is wearing glasses gifted by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a friendly meeting held at a hotel in Andong, Gyeongbuk on the 19th, and posing for a commemorative photo. (Photo by The Blue House) Yonhap News Agency

The two leaders also reaffirmed the importance of Korea-Japan and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation for regional peace and stability. President Lee noted that it was "a very meaningful development" that the recent Korea-Japan Security Policy Consultation was elevated to the vice ministerial level for the first time. Prime Minister Takaichi stated that maintaining and strengthening deterrence and response capabilities through the U.S.-Japan and Korea-U.S. alliances, as well as strategic cooperation, is important.

Furthermore, President Lee emphasized the necessity of trilateral cooperation among Korea, the United States, and Japan, as well as among Korea, China, and Japan. President Lee stated that, since the Northeast Asian region is closely interconnected in various aspects such as economy and security, it is important for Korea, China, and Japan to respect one another and seek common interests. He also proposed prioritizing trilateral cooperation led by the private sector.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula was also a major agenda item. President Lee explained the Korean government's position of striving for a "Korean Peninsula of peace without the need for conflict," where South and North coexist peacefully and grow together, and emphasized the commitment to complete denuclearization and the establishment of lasting peace on the peninsula. Prime Minister Takaichi stated that Korea, Japan, and the U.S. would respond in close coordination on North Korea-related issues, including nuclear and missile problems.

Practical cooperation in advanced industries and public safety was also discussed. The two leaders agreed to strengthen trust-based cooperation in future fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), space, and biotechnology. Regarding the response to transnational scam crimes, the two countries decided to increase the speed and efficiency of investigations based on a memorandum of understanding signed between their respective police agencies.

Progress was also made on humanitarian cooperation related to historical issues. The two leaders welcomed the completion of working-level consultations between the diplomatic authorities of both countries regarding DNA analysis of the remains of victims of the Jōsei Coal Mine flooding incident and the commencement of the analysis procedure. Moving forward, Korea's National Forensic Service and the Japanese police will conduct DNA testing and jointly proceed with the identification process.

President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are watching Seonyujulbulnori at Hahoe Village in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do on the 19th. (Photo by Cheong Wa Dae) Yonhap News

However, unresolved issues remain between the two countries, such as the comfort women, forced labor, Dokdo, and discussions on the revision of Japan's pacifist constitution. Some observers point out that the sustainability of bilateral cooperation depends on how stably these historical and security issues are managed. Choi Eunmi, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said, "With seven meetings already having laid the foundation, the two leaders now need to address matters that require political leadership in future summits." Jin Changsoo, head of the Sejong Institute Center, also stated, "The two leaders are not discussing substantive issues, such as historical disputes where there is significant difference in perception. If only minimal discussions continue, it will be difficult to expect major progress or results going forward."

Meanwhile, gifts reflecting the history and regional identity of bilateral relations were exchanged at the summit. President Lee presented Prime Minister Takaichi, who visited his hometown Andong, with a wooden framed mask from Hahoe Village, a set of Joseon Tongsinsa memorabilia, and a framed white porcelain moon jar. Prime Minister Takaichi, in turn, gave President Lee a traditional craft from her hometown of Nara Prefecture and a pair of eyeglass frames manufactured in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture.

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