South Korea and Japan will hold diplomatic talks later this month. President Lee Jae Myung will travel to Japan on August 23 for a two-day visit. During this trip, he will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. According to officials, the summit will focus on improving regional peace and strengthening ties with Washington. Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung confirmed the visit during a briefing in Seoul. However, she did not provide the exact time of the meeting.
This visit marks the second time Lee and Ishiba will meet for formal discussions. Their first meeting happened in June in Canada. That discussion took place on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit. Diplomatic talks planned between the two leaders come at a crucial moment. Both countries face ongoing challenges related to economic and security issues. One key concern is the recent increase in tariffs from the United States. President Donald Trump’s administration announced the measures earlier this summer.
Meanwhile, South Korea and Japan continue to work through long-standing historical disputes. Many of these issues stem from Japan’s occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. These topics often strain diplomatic efforts between the two nations. In recent months, President Lee has shown interest in a more balanced approach toward Japan. Although he previously criticized past efforts at reconciliation, he expressed a new tone during his first meeting with Ishiba. Both leaders agreed then to improve dialogue and mutual understanding.
This second summit is expected to build on that foundation. Leaders may also explore trilateral cooperation with the United States. Washington has encouraged closer ties between its two key allies in Asia. Furthermore, President Lee’s trip to Japan comes just before another major diplomatic event. He will travel to the United States immediately after. A summit with President Trump is scheduled for August 25.
Diplomatic talks planned in Tokyo may set the tone for Lee’s broader foreign policy agenda. Regional security, economic stability, and cooperation will all be part of these discussions. Clearly, both countries aim to reduce tension and focus on shared interests moving forward. This back-to-back diplomacy could define the next phase in Northeast Asia relations.
