Korea, Japan agree on Josei mine excavation

Jan 14, 2026, 08:06 am

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President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae shake hands after a joint press briefing following their summit in Nara Prefecture on Jan. 13. / Yonhap

South Korea and Japan agreed Monday to jointly excavate the remains of victims from the Josei coal mine in Ube, marking the first concrete bilateral commitment to cooperate on resolving historical issues stemming from Japan’s wartime period.

President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae announced the decision at a joint press conference following their summit in Nara Prefecture. The two leaders said the joint effort would include DNA testing to identify the remains, with follow-up working-level consultations between the two governments.

The Josei coal mine collapsed in 1942, killing 183 people, including Korean and Japanese laborers. Human remains were discovered for the first time in August last year, more than 80 years after the incident.

Lee said the agreement represented “a small but meaningful step forward” in addressing historical issues between the two neighbors. Since taking office, Lee has visited Japan twice in seven months and held five bilateral summits, seeking to restore so-called shuttle diplomacy and advance what he calls a “national interest–centered, pragmatic diplomacy.”

During a total of 88 minutes of talks, including both closed-door and expanded sessions, the two leaders agreed to broaden cooperation beyond trade to encompass economic security, science and technology, and joint initiatives on international norms. They also discussed collaboration on artificial intelligence, intellectual property protection, regional development, and joint responses to transnational crimes such as fraud.

South Korea’s potential accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership was not mentioned in the joint statement, despite earlier expectations.

Lee said the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and lasting peace, and agreed to maintain close coordination on North Korea policy. Takaichi noted in particular discussions on supply chain cooperation and thanked Lee for his strong support for resolving the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.

“In a complex and turbulent international order, cooperation between South Korea and Japan is more important than ever,” Lee said. “If we move forward hand in hand, we can certainly build a better future together.”

Following the summit, Lee attended a dinner with Takaichi. On Tuesday, he is scheduled to visit the historic Horyu-ji temple, meet with members of the Korean community in Japan, and then return home.

#South Korea Japan summit #Josei coal mine #joint excavation #wartime forced labor #historical issues