South Korean president invites prime minister to his hometown and impresses on the stable tone of Japan-Korea relations

[Andong Jiji] On the 19th, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung welcomed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to his hometown, Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province, as a ``state guest'' (from the presidential palace), giving an impression of the stable tone of Japan-South Korea relations. Although the Lee administration maintains a high approval rating, it appears that it is planning to show off its diplomatic skills in the traditionally conservative Gyeongsang Province region ahead of the unified local elections in June.

Presentation of traditional mask to Prime Minister Takaichi Pray for “Korea-Japan friendship” - President Lee

``Thank you for coming to our rural town.'' Mr. Lee met Mr. Takaichi at the hotel where the event was held and shook his hand firmly. Banners reading ``We welcome the Korea-Japan summit meeting in Andong'' were fluttered around the city.

In January of this year, when Lee visited Takaichi's hometown of Nara, he expressed his desire to invite Takaichi to Andong City. It is said that strong lobbying from the South Korean side was behind Mr. Takaichi's decision to visit South Korea even though the Diet schedule was tight.

What he has in mind is unified local elections, which will be the Lee administration's first nationwide elections. The government's approval rating is at a high level of 60%, but in the conservative Gyeongsang Province region, it is reported that it is in a close race with the largest opposition party, ``People's Power'', so this summit seems to be seen as a good opportunity to win over conservative forces.

Mr. Lee criticized the policies of former conservative President Yun Seok-Yeol, who promoted improvements in Japan-Korea relations when he was in the opposition party, calling it ``humiliating diplomacy.'' On the other hand, after taking office as president, he shifted to a more pragmatic approach that emphasized cooperation with Japan, and conservatives even began to say, ``Honestly, Mr. Lee's diplomacy is good'' (a person close to the people's power).

At the meeting, the two leaders agreed to strengthen energy cooperation. At the joint press conference, Lee emphasized that the areas in which the two countries can cooperate are limitless. While the cooperative relationship continues to rise, economic and security cooperation remain issues. The South Korean government is positive about joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) led by Japan, but it is necessary to improve the domestic environment due to the issue of suspension of imports of some Japanese marine products, which is expected to become a focal point.

In terms of security, South Korea has been reluctant due to historical reasons regarding the conclusion of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which allows for the exchange of fuel and ammunition. One South Korean expert said that security cooperation "needs to be proceeded with caution."