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| ▲ South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) and former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pose for a photo ahead of their meeting over a luncheon at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 8, 2026, in this photo released by the presidential office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Lee-ex-Japan PM
Lee meets with ex-Japan PM Ishiba, thanks for support of mending ties
By Yi Wonju
SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung met with former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday, highlighting the former prime minister's efforts in restoring "shuttle diplomacy" and mending frayed bilateral ties.
Lee hosted the luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae for Ishiba, who stepped down last September and was succeeded by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi amid a domestic political crisis.
"I am grateful that the South Korea-Japan relations became considerably more stable while you were in office and that bilateral cooperation between the two countries has since progressed well," Lee said.
"With a broad interest in global issues, you played a significant role," he added.
Ishiba expressed his appreciation to Lee for hosting the luncheon, saying he gave utmost priority in advancing the bilateral ties with South Korea during his one-year term.
"Although one year was a short term, I valued the development of the Japan-South Korea relations the most in the context of diplomacy," Ishiba said.
Lee and Ishiba first met at the Group of Seven summit in June last year shortly after Lee took office. The two leaders later held bilateral summits in Tokyo and Busan, resuming shuttle diplomacy and deepening bilateral ties between the two countries.
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