{"id":17371,"date":"2025-08-23T14:03:28","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T14:03:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=17371"},"modified":"2025-08-23T14:03:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T14:03:28","slug":"japans-ishiba-hosts-south-koreas-lee-before-key-trump-summit-government-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=17371","title":{"rendered":"Japan\u2019s Ishiba hosts South Korea\u2019s Lee before key Trump summit | Government News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Lee\u2019s visit comes two days before his crucial first summit in Washington, DC with US President Donald Trump.<\/em><\/p>\n

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Tokyo for a visit aimed at reaffirming security cooperation and showcasing friendly ties between the two East Asian neighbours facing common challenges from their mutual ally, the United States.<\/p>\n

On his first official visit to Japan since taking office in June, Lee met Ishiba on Saturday at the premier\u2019s residence to discuss bilateral ties, including closer security cooperation with the US under a trilateral pact signed by their predecessors.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the strategic environment surrounding both our countries grows increasingly severe, the importance of our relations, as well as trilateral cooperation with the United States, continues to grow,\u201d Ishiba said in a joint announcement with Lee after their meeting.<\/p>\n

The leaders agreed to resume shuttle diplomacy, expand exchanges such as working holiday programmes, and step up cooperation in defence, economic security, artificial intelligence and other areas. They also pledged closer coordination against North Korea\u2019s nuclear and missile threats.<\/p>\n

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\u2014 \u77f3\u7834\u8302 (@shigeruishiba) August 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The snap election victory of the liberal Lee \u2013 following the impeachment of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol for declaring martial law \u2013 raised concerns in Tokyo that relations with Seoul could sour.<\/p>\n

Lee has criticised past efforts to improve ties strained by lingering resentment over Japan\u2019s colonial rule. The South Korean government last week expressed \u201cdeep disappointment and regret\u201d after Japanese officials visited a shrine in Tokyo to Japan\u2019s war dead that many Koreans see as a symbol of Japan\u2019s wartime aggression.<\/p>\n

In Tokyo, however, Lee reaffirmed support for closer relations with Japan as he did when he met Ishiba for the first time in June on the sidelines of a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada.<\/p>\n

Lee\u2019s decision to visit Tokyo before Washington has been well received by Japanese officials, who see it as a sign Lee is placing great importance on relations between the two neighbours.<\/p>\n

For Ishiba, who faces pressure from right-wing rivals within his governing party to resign over its July election loss, Lee\u2019s visit and a successful summit could shore up his support.<\/p>\n

Despite their differences, the two US allies rely heavily on Washington to counter China\u2019s growing regional influence. Together, they host about 80,000 US soldiers, dozens of US warships and hundreds of military aircraft.<\/p>\n

Japan and South Korea also share common ground on trade, with both agreeing to 15 percent tariffs on US imports of their goods after Trump had threatened steeper duties.<\/p>\n

We \u201cagreed that unwavering cooperation between South Korea, the US and Japan is paramount in the rapidly changing international situation, and decided to create a virtuous cycle in which the development of South Korea-Japan relations leads to stronger cooperation\u201d, Lee said alongside Ishiba.<\/p>\n

Lee\u2019s visit comes two days before his crucial first summit in Washington with US President Donald Trump. The two men are expected to discuss security concerns, including China, North Korea, and Seoul\u2019s financial contribution for US forces stationed in South Korea \u2013 something the US leader has repeatedly pressed it to increase.<\/p>\n