South Korea’s president calls for ‘better future’ with Japan

ISTANBUL

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Monday called for a “better future” with Japan, emphasizing that the two neighboring countries are essential partners in a rapidly evolving global environment, Yonhap News reported.

Lee made the remarks in a video message at the opening of an event hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"South Korea and Japan are key partners who must cooperate closely in responding to a rapidly changing global landscape. Let's join hands and move toward a better future," Lee was quoted by the media outlet as saying.

South Korea was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945.

Lee did not attend the event in person, as he had already departed for Canada to participate in an expanded Group of Seven (G7) summit session.

The president has signaled a shift in tone from his earlier, more critical stance on Japan, seeking to maintain the momentum of recent improvements in bilateral relations made under the previous conservative administration.

Lee has committed to a “two-track” strategy that separates future-oriented cooperation from historical issues stemming from Japan’s colonial rule.

Separately, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to participate in a Korea-Japan diplomatic gathering in Tokyo on June 19, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of normalized relations between the two countries, according to the newspaper Korea JoongAng Daily.