Copyright thehindu
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in their first summit on Thursday (October 30, 2025), pledging to strengthen ties that have been frequently strained by their bitter wartime history. Their meeting in South Korea came after both launched charm offensives toward U.S. President Donald Trump, who visited their countries and pressed the two key U.S. allies to complete their massive U.S. investment pledges. Meeting with Ms. Takaichi ahead of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, Mr. Lee said South Korea and Japan share common challenges in the face of “rapidly changing international dynamics and trade conditions” and that their future-oriented cooperation was more important than ever. Ms. Takaichi said trilateral cooperation between Tokyo, Seoul and Washington is becoming increasingly crucial “under the current strategic environment,” according to Lee's office. The two leaders agreed to continue their “shuttle diplomacy,” in which they take turns hosting summits, Mr. Lee's office said in a statement.
