SEOUL: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will travel to South Korea on May 19 for a two-day official visit at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung, Seoul’s presidential office said Friday.
The visit comes as the two US-aligned democracies seek to further deepen cooperation while navigating shared security concerns, including threats posed by nuclear-armed North Korea, according to AFP.
During the trip, Takaichi is scheduled to visit Andong, the hometown of Lee and the capital of North Gyeongsang Province. The stop is being described by Seoul as a reciprocal diplomatic gesture, following Lee’s visit to Japan’s Nara Prefecture in January, where he was hosted by the Japanese leader.
Officials in Seoul said the two leaders will hold wide-ranging discussions on the future direction of South Korea–Japan relations, with a focus on expanding practical cooperation across multiple sectors. These are expected to include economic security, technological collaboration, and broader regional and global issues.
Among the international topics on the agenda is the evolving situation in the Middle East, alongside domestic concerns such as economic stability, social policy, and public safety, according to the presidential office.
Tokyo also confirmed the visit. Japan’s deputy chief cabinet secretary told parliament that Takaichi will be in South Korea from May 19–20 for talks with Lee, according to remarks relayed by a lower house spokesperson.
The two leaders first met on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province in October last year, where early discussions laid the groundwork for closer cooperation.
Their diplomatic engagement continued during Lee’s January visit to Japan, when both sides agreed to strengthen coordination on economic security and shared regional challenges.
The visit also featured a lighter cultural moment, when Takaichi played two K-pop songs during a post-summit drumming session with Lee, who later joked that he initially felt “a little awkward” in front of the Japanese leader, who has a background in student heavy metal band drumming.
Despite ongoing efforts to improve ties, South Korea–Japan relations remain shaped by long-standing historical disputes linked to Japan’s 1910–45 colonial occupation of the Korean peninsula. These issues have periodically strained diplomatic relations, though both governments have sought to maintain momentum in recent years.
Observers have also noted concerns that relations could face renewed pressure under Takaichi’s conservative leadership. However, the current diplomatic track continues to emphasise pragmatic cooperation and strategic alignment between the two countries.
Lee, who has taken a comparatively dovish approach towards North Korea than his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, has previously described South Korea and Japan as “neighbours sharing a front yard,” underscoring his emphasis on regional stability and closer engagement.
The upcoming visit is therefore seen as another step in reinforcing bilateral ties at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Asia-Pacific region.
