Japanese Media: South Korea-Japan Summit Being Coordinated for Around the 23rd in Tokyo

by Lee Seungjin

Published 09 Aug.2025 09:37(KST)

The Asahi Shimbun reported on the 9th that the South Korean and Japanese governments are coordinating to hold a summit between the two countries in Tokyo on the 23rd.

The newspaper explained, "It appears that President Lee Jae Myung intends to visit Japan before his trip to the United States in order to demonstrate a policy of prioritizing relations with Japan."

In addition, the report introduced coverage by some South Korean media outlets stating that a South Korea-United States summit will be held in Washington, D.C. on the 25th. It also cited the example of Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who visited Japan for the first time since taking office on the 29th of last month and then immediately traveled to the United States.

President Lee Jae Myung is shaking hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and taking a commemorative photo at the South Korea-Japan summit held at the Group of Seven (G7) summit venue in Canmore, Alberta, Canada on the 17th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

The newspaper stated, "The Lee Jae Myung administration appears to place importance on maintaining stable relations with Japan in responding to the Donald Trump administration in the United States."

The Yomiuri Shimbun also reported, "The two governments are considering holding the summit centered on the 23rd," and added, "President Lee Jae Myung aims to emphasize the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan by visiting Japan and the United States consecutively."

If President Lee visits Japan on this occasion, it will be his first visit to Japan since taking office, and "shuttle diplomacy" between the leaders of the two countries will also resume.

Previously, President Lee and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held a summit on June 17 at the G7 Summit in Canmore, Canada.

At that time, the leaders of the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to resuming shuttle diplomacy and agreed to advance discussions between their respective authorities to this end.