Sustained cooperation ties between South Korea and Japan took center stage at a Cheong Wa Dae luncheon on Wednesday. President Lee Jae Myung met former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during his two-day visit to Seoul. Lee expressed appreciation that relations between Korea and Japan became quite stable while Ishiba served as prime minister. Cooperation between the two countries has since been proceeding very well, Lee added. He hopes Ishiba will continue to play a significant role in this complex global landscape.
Ishiba spoke through an interpreter during the luncheon. Although my tenure lasted only a short year, the diplomatic priority I placed the greatest importance on was the development of Japan-South Korea relations, Ishiba stated. There are many bilateral relationships around the world, he added. However, I wanted to make the relationship between Japan and Korea the finest in the world, and I still do. Ishiba recalled a series of high-level exchanges over the past year that helped improve ties.
Lee and Ishiba met three times between June and September last year. Their first meeting took place in Kananaskis, Canada, on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in June. They met again in Tokyo during August for bilateral discussions. Their third meeting occurred in Busan in September. Ishiba said he was glad to hear that Lee has maintained a very good relationship with Japan’s incumbent Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Takaichi succeeded Ishiba in office following his short tenure.
Ishiba traveled to Seoul to deliver his keynote speech to the Asan Plenum 2026. The Asan Institute for Policy Studies, a prominent Seoul think tank, hosted the event. In his speech, Ishiba called for a gradual path toward a NATO-style collective security framework in the Indo-Pacific region. He argued that closer coordination between US allies could eventually develop into a NATO-like security structure. These allies include South Korea, Japan, and Australia. Ishiba underscored the importance of pursuing such a move beyond the modernization of the Korea-US and Japan-US alliances. Strengthening trilateral coordination remains essential for regional security. It is a matter of the highest importance to consider building such a framework for the broader Asia Pacific, Ishiba stated.
Experts view Ishiba’s proposal as ambitious but challenging. A NATO-style framework would require significant shifts in regional diplomatic approaches. The sustained cooperation ties between South Korea and Japan have improved markedly in recent years. Historical disputes and trade tensions had previously strained relations. The current trajectory suggests continued diplomatic engagement. Ishiba remains influential in Japanese politics despite leaving the prime minister’s office. His endorsement of closer South Korea-Japan ties carries weight in Tokyo policy circles. Lee’s willingness to meet with former leaders demonstrates Seoul’s commitment to relationship continuity. Both nations face common challenges from North Korea’s military threats and China’s growing regional influence. Future meetings between current and former leaders will continue building this diplomatic foundation.
