South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will travel to Japan from August 23 to 24 for a summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, according to his office. The meeting will focus on strengthening regional peace and enhancing trilateral cooperation with the United States, Lee’s spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung told reporters. While the specific date of the summit during Lee’s two-day visit was not confirmed, it marks the second time the two leaders will meet in 2025.
Their first meeting took place in June on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, where both leaders pledged to deepen bilateral ties. Lee has previously criticised previous South Korean governments for their approaches to improving relations with Japan. However, recent talks indicate a willingness to foster cooperation despite long-standing issues.
Relations between the two U.S. allies have been historically tense due to Japan’s colonial rule over the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Efforts to improve ties have been complicated by political, trade, and security disputes. The summit comes as both countries face new challenges, including navigating U.S. tariffs imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump. The discussions in Tokyo are expected to address economic, security, and diplomatic concerns.
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President Lee’s visit to Japan takes place just days before his planned trip to the United States, where he will hold a summit with President Donald Trump on August 25. This timing underscores the strategic importance of Seoul’s diplomacy, balancing regional partnerships with its alliance with Washington.
In recent years, South Korea and Japan have made cautious steps toward mending relations. Historical grievances, especially those relating to Japan’s colonial past and wartime actions, have often caused diplomatic rifts. Yet, shared security concerns, such as North Korea’s missile programme and the shifting dynamics of U.S. trade policy, are pushing both nations to find common ground.
Prime Minister Ishiba has expressed interest in building a more pragmatic and forward-looking relationship with South Korea, aligning with broader goals of regional stability. For President Lee, the Tokyo summit is an opportunity to reaffirm South Korea’s role in regional diplomacy while addressing sensitive issues directly with Japanese leadership.
The meeting will also serve as preparation for Lee’s discussions with the U.S. president, where trilateral cooperation on defence, trade, and technology is expected to be a central focus. Analysts see the back-to-back summits as a sign of renewed momentum in Northeast Asian diplomacy.
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