President Lee: "Japan–South Korea relations are stable"... Former Prime Minister Ishiba: "Lee is popular in Japan too"

According to Financial News, President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea held a luncheon with former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at Cheong Wa Dae on the 8th. Lee noted that Japan–South Korea relations had remained stable during Ishiba's term in office and asked him to continue playing a role amid the complex international environment.
At the luncheon with Shigeru Ishiba held at the main building of Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee said, "Welcome to South Korea," adding, "During your tenure as prime minister, Japan–South Korea relations became much more stable, and since then cooperation between Japan and South Korea has been going very well. I am truly grateful for that."
He went on to say, "You showed great interest in international affairs and played a significant role with a very broad perspective. I hope you will continue to play a major role in this complex international environment going forward."
Earlier that day, former Prime Minister Ishiba visited South Korea to attend Asan Plenum 2026, the annual forum hosted by The Asan Institute for Policy Studies. In the afternoon, he met President Lee Jae Myung for a luncheon and talks. Lee had held three summit meetings with Ishiba during Ishiba's time in office.
Former Prime Minister Ishiba said, "Although my term was short, just one year, the area I valued most in terms of diplomacy was the development of Japan–South Korea relations." He continued, "There are many bilateral relationships around the world, but I wanted the relationship between Japan and South Korea to become the best in the world, and I still feel that way."
He added, "I have seen reports that you maintain an excellent relationship with your successor, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and I am very pleased about that," and went on, "President Lee is very popular in Japan as well. Last year marked the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, and I hope that close ties will be built not only in politics but also at the private level, especially leading to regional development."
Meanwhile, at Asan Plenum 2026, former Prime Minister Ishiba said that a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would pose a threat to the international order and stressed that the issue should be addressed based on the United Nations (UN). He also emphasized that, in the face of the growing threat from North Korea's nuclear weapons, trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, as well as Japan–South Korea relations and South Korea–United States relations, must be strengthened more than ever. "To enhance the credibility of the U.S.-Japan alliance and South Korea–United States relations in terms of nuclear deterrence, a standing communication mechanism for discussions among the three countries should be established as soon as possible," he stated.

cjk@fnnews.com Reporter Choi Jong-geun Reporter