Japanese and South Korean Leaders to Discuss Future Amid Leadership Changes

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida will visit Seoul for a summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. They will review cooperative efforts and plan future collaborations. Yoon has prioritized mending ties with Japan and strengthening trilateral security with the US and Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will visit Seoul on Sept. 6-7 for a summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon's office announced Tuesday. The leaders will review progress in their cooperative efforts and discuss ways to deepen their partnership ahead of Kishida's impending resignation.

"Both sides will look back on the achievements of cooperation they have made through 11 rounds of summits and discuss the future direction of development of bilateral, regional, and global cooperation," stated Yoon's office. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has prioritized mending ties with Japan and improving security cooperation to address North Korea's military threats, leading to a thaw in relations between the neighbors.

Yoon's diplomatic outreach has also facilitated enhanced trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the United States, culminating in a historic summit at Camp David last year. Kishida's tenure has been marked by political scandals and rising living costs, prompting his decision to step down. Despite imminent leadership changes in Tokyo and Washington, Yoon intends to continue cooperation with Japan and the United States. Kishida is expected to provide valuable advice for his successor on maintaining foreign policy and furthering bilateral ties.

(With inputs from agencies.)