What's happened
In their first phone call since Lee's inauguration, South Korean President Lee and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation with the U.S. amid rising tensions in East Asia. They agreed to meet in person to strengthen bilateral relations and address North Korean issues.
What's behind the headline?
Key Points:
- Trilateral Cooperation: Lee's administration aims to enhance collaboration with Japan and the U.S. on security issues, particularly regarding North Korea.
- Historical Context: The relationship between South Korea and Japan has been fraught with historical tensions, including unresolved issues from Japan's colonial rule.
- Domestic Pressures: Analysts warn that domestic economic challenges in South Korea could lead to a resurgence of nationalist sentiments, potentially jeopardizing diplomatic progress.
- Future Outlook: The success of Lee's diplomatic efforts will depend on his ability to navigate historical grievances while fostering economic and security partnerships.
Implications:
- The leaders' commitment to dialogue suggests a cautious optimism for improved relations, but underlying tensions remain a significant hurdle.
- Both countries must balance domestic pressures with the need for regional stability, particularly in light of North Korea's actions.
What the papers say
The Japan Times reported that during their 25-minute call, Lee and Ishiba reaffirmed the importance of cooperation, with Ishiba expressing hopes for a summit soon. Lee's spokesperson emphasized the need for three-way cooperation with the U.S. (The Japan Times, June 9, 2025). Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post highlighted Lee's conciliatory tone upon taking office, calling for collaboration in trade and security, while also noting concerns in Japan about potential nationalist backlash in South Korea (South China Morning Post, June 5, 2025). Analysts like Toshimitsu Shigemura from Waseda University pointed out that historical issues could resurface, complicating diplomatic efforts (South China Morning Post, June 5, 2025).
How we got here
Lee's election marks a shift in South Korea's approach to Japan, focusing on pragmatism and cooperation. The two nations have a history of strained relations, particularly over historical grievances and territorial disputes, which have complicated diplomatic efforts.
Go deeper
- What are the historical issues affecting Japan-South Korea relations?
- How might Lee's leadership impact North Korea negotiations?
- What are the potential challenges for Lee's administration?
More on these topics
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
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Shigeru Ishiba is a Japanese politician. Ishiba is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and of Heisei-Kenkyukai until 2011.
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Lee Jae-myung is a South Korean politician and attorney who has been serving as Governor of Gyeonggi Province since 2018. Prior to this, he served as Mayor of Seongnam, the tenth largest city in South Korea, from 2010 to 2018.