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President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands prior to their expanded summit at a meeting venue in Nara Prefecture, Japan, on January 13. / Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung will hold a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi today, May 19, in his hometown of Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. Serving as a reciprocal visit following President Lee’s trip to Nara Prefecture, Japan, in January, this marks the first-ever "hometown exchange" where the leaders of South Korea and Japan visit each other's hometowns.

According to the Blue House, President Lee will hold a small-group meeting, an expanded summit, and a joint press announcement with Prime Minister Takaichi, who arrived in Andong for a two-day official visit. The two leaders will also attend a dinner banquet and other friendship-building events later in the day.

Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit is a return visit for President Lee’s trip to Japan in January, marking the third summit between the two leaders since her inauguration.

During the summit, the leaders are expected to broadly discuss measures to advance bilateral relations. The main agenda will likely focus on strengthening practical cooperation in areas directly tied to public livelihoods, including the economy, society, and citizen protection.

Global issues, including the recent volatile situation in the Middle East, are also highly likely to be on the table. As both South Korea and Japan face energy security risks from the potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, observers predict that the leaders will exchange views on multilateral cooperation to ensure freedom of navigation, such as the U.S.-led Maritime Freedom Initiative (MFI).

The leaders are also expected to review the progress of DNA testing on human remains from Japan’s Chosei coal mine, an issue agreed upon during their January summit. The South Korean government announced just yesterday that it plans to launch the DNA analysis to identify the victims from the mine.

South Korea's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) may also be raised. With economic security and supply chain cooperation emerging as core pillars of the Seoul-Tokyo relationship, the two leaders are anticipated to discuss response strategies to shifting global trade dynamics.

Although Prime Minister Takaichi's visit is a working-level trip under the shuttle diplomacy framework, the Blue House plans to extend protocols equivalent to a state visit. Given that the itinerary is designed to deepen personal trust and friendship between the leaders, significant effort has been poured into the official reception.

When President Lee visited Nara Prefecture in January, Prime Minister Takaichi personally welcomed the presidential couple in front of their accommodation. Reciprocating the gesture, President Lee will personally greet Prime Minister Takaichi at her hotel today.

The welcoming ceremony will feature a 43-member traditional honor guard and a 29-member military band. An escort will accompany Prime Minister Takaichi’s vehicle, and a 12-member flag-bearing guard will line the sides of the hotel entrance.

The dinner banquet following the summit will feature dishes reflecting Andong's heritage and the spirit of Seoul-Tokyo harmony. The menu will showcase fusion Korean cuisine incorporating recipes from "Suunjapbang," a historic cookbook preserved by Andong's prestigious clan families. Accompanying the meal will be Andong's traditional liquors, Taesaju and Andong Soju, alongside sake from Nara Prefecture.

"Jeongyea," a traditional chicken dish historically served to honored guests, is also included on the menu. The choice is intended to highlight bilateral friendship by blending Andong's regional distinctiveness with symbols of Prime Minister Takaichi's hometown of Nara.

Following the dinner, the two leaders will listen to a piano performance by Yang Bang-ean, a prominent Zainichi Korean pianist. They 

will then move to the Hahoe Folk Village ferry dock to watch Seonyu Julbul Nori, a traditional fireworks festival, along with a pansori performance titled "Like Scattering Sparks."

Wi Sung-lac, director of National Security, recently remarked on the upcoming summit, stating, "As this is part of shuttle diplomacy, the talks will naturally cover a comprehensive review of pending, current issues." He added, "The most critical objective is to further deepen the personal trust between the two leaders."