Kishida’s Final Summit: Strengthening Japan-South Korea Ties Before Stepping Down

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will travel to Seoul on September 6-7 for a crucial summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, as announced by Yoon’s office on Tuesday. The meeting will focus on reviewing the progress made in enhancing cooperation between the two nations and exploring ways to further deepen their partnership before Kishida steps down later this month.

According to Yoon’s office, the summit will reflect on the accomplishments achieved through 11 rounds of previous meetings and will address future directions for bilateral, regional, and global cooperation.

Since taking office in 2022, President Yoon has prioritized improving relations with Japan and boosting security collaboration to address North Korea’s military threats. This effort has led to a thaw in the historically strained relations between the two countries. Yoon’s initiative has also facilitated stronger trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the United States, culminating in a landmark summit at Camp David last year.

Kishida, who has announced his resignation effective September, will conclude his three-year term, which has been marred by political controversies and rising living costs. Despite the forthcoming leadership changes in Tokyo and Washington, Yoon has expressed confidence that cooperation with Japan and the US will persist.

Yoon’s office indicated that Kishida is expected to offer valuable insights and recommendations on foreign policy and the future of bilateral relations based on his extensive experience.