Korea-Japan ties deepen beyond shuttle diplomacy

Jan 15, 2026, 07:57 am

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President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Takahichi Sanae pose for a photo at Horyu-ji Temple, a major cultural heritage site in Nara Prefecture, Japan, on Jan. 14. / Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung returned home on Tuesday after completing a two-day visit to Japan, marking further progress in Korea-Japan cooperation that now extends beyond traditional shuttle diplomacy to include economic security and historical reconciliation.

During his fifth summit with Japanese Prime Minister Takahichi Sanae since taking office, Lee agreed with Tokyo to strengthen practical cooperation not only in trade but also in economic security, science and technology, artificial intelligence, intellectual property protection, and joint responses to transnational crimes such as online scams.

A particularly significant outcome was the agreement to jointly recover the remains of victims who died in the flooding of the Josei coal mine, a move widely seen as opening a path toward addressing long-standing historical issues through a humanitarian approach.

Takahichi’s warm reception of Lee was interpreted as reaffirming strong mutual commitment to cooperation, at a time when geopolitical tensions involving the United States and China, as well as China and Japan, continue to reshape the regional landscape. Observers say the summit helped secure diplomatic space for Seoul and Tokyo to pursue more autonomous, interest-based strategies.

Having already held summits with China and Japan within the first two weeks of the new year, Lee is expected to further refine his administration’s policy of “pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests” by reviewing the outcomes of the talks.

Wi Sung-lac, head of South Korea’s National Security Office, told reporters at a press briefing in Osaka that shuttle diplomacy between the two countries has now been “fully institutionalized.”

He cited three key achievements of the summit: renewed historical and cultural exchanges coupled with cooperation on regional revitalization, deeper practical collaboration in economic and security matters, and a humanitarian approach to resolving historical disputes.

“Building on the consensus formed during the previous two meetings, this summit focused on deepening cooperation and expanding its scope through candid discussions,” Wi said. He added that Lee’s Japan visit, following his state visit to China, demonstrated pragmatic, national interest–driven diplomacy amid a rapidly shifting international order.

Asked about South Korea’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Wi said Seoul had expressed its intention to move forward, noting that the issue would require further working-level consultations. He added that Japan had provided explanations regarding food safety, signaling that Tokyo raised the issue of easing South Korea’s restrictions on seafood imports from Fukushima in connection with CPTPP accession talks.

#Lee Jae-myung #Takahichi Sanae #Korea-Japan relations #summit diplomacy