On January 16, 2026, President Lee Jae-myung held a 30-minute meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, who visited Korea for the Seoul-Tokyo Forum. The meeting took place shortly after President Lee’s visit to Nara, Japan (January 13-14) and the Korea-Japan summit, drawing significant attention. President Lee emphasized the importance of exchanges not only between leaders but also among citizens and politicians, expressing his gratitude for Aso’s visit. This encounter has heightened public expectations for improved Korea-Japan relations.
President Lee thanked Prime Minister Takaichi and the Japanese people for their special hospitality. He highlighted that the recent summit solidified shuttle diplomacy and achieved several tangible outcomes. Former Prime Minister Aso praised the summit as highly successful and noted that President Lee’s visit was well received in Japan. He particularly emphasized the significance of two summits between President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi within a short period.
President Lee stressed the importance of expanding areas of cooperation between Korea and Japan amid the current international situation. He urged former Prime Minister Aso to continue playing an active role in managing difficult issues and fostering future-oriented cooperation. Aso also agreed on the need for ongoing dialogue and exchanges between the two countries. This meeting served as a foundation for building trust and strengthening cooperation between political leaders.
Looking ahead, Korea and Japan are expected to expand cooperation in various fields based on shuttle diplomacy. The recent summits and political exchanges are likely to lay the groundwork for practical collaboration in economics, security, and culture. Enhanced mutual understanding and future-oriented partnerships between the peoples of both countries are anticipated. These developments are also expected to positively impact peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
The recent summit and political exchanges mark a pivotal moment in Korea-Japan relations. The resumption of shuttle diplomacy and tangible achievements pave the way for synergistic cooperation across multiple sectors. Building trust among political leaders and expanding people-to-people exchanges will be crucial for the sustainable development of bilateral relations.