[News Today] Korea–Japan shuttle diplomacy back on track

[LEAD]
President Lee Jae Myung held a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a visit to Nara Prefecture. Ahead of the meeting, Lee said in an interview with NHK that tensions between China and Japan, including over Taiwan, are not Korea's issue.

[REPORT]
President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday arrived in Nara Prefecture, the hometown of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The two leaders met again in two and a half months after their previous meeting at last year’s APEC Summit in Gyeongju.

Lee Jae Myung/ President
Though the two countries had a painful experience at one time in the past, bilateral relations have been normalized for 60 years and as we are set to begin another 60 years to come, today's talks hold special meaning as the prime minister also mentioned.

After holding nearly two hours of talks, the two leaders will announce the summit results in a joint press briefing.

Eyes are on to what degree historical issues, a long standing sticking point in bilateral relations, were discussed.

In an interview with NHK held before his visit to Japan, President Lee said that while acknowledging the past, the two sides should work together in areas where cooperation is possible and move toward the future.

Regarding strained ties between China and Japan, the president said he hopes differences are smoothly resolved through dialogue but drew a line on the matter.

Lee Jae Myung / President (Jan. 12, NHK interview)
It’s a matter between China and Japan, not one in which Korea should intervene.

But he said he explained to Chinese President Xi Jinping that to Korea, relations with Japan are just as important as they are with China.

On the issue of importing seafood from Fukushima, which Japan is requesting, President Lee said it would be an important agenda item and a problem that needs to be resolved in the long term in order to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

■ 제보하기
▷ 전화 : 02-781-1234, 4444
▷ 이메일 : kbs1234@kbs.co.kr
▷ 카카오톡 : 'KBS제보' 검색, 채널 추가
▷ 카카오 '마이뷰', 유튜브에서 KBS뉴스를 구독해주세요!

KBS