The Tamesis
May 21, 2026
Seoul/Andong – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi received a state-guest-level welcome in the hometown of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday, sending a strong signal of rapprochement between Tokyo and Seoul.
Amid the turbulent international situation such as the warming of Sino-US relations and the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Gao Shi and Lee Myung-bak unanimously recognized the vital importance of the bilateral strategic partnership and emphasized the steady progress in strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
In Andong, a city in southeastern South Korea that retains many cultural properties from the Silla and Joseon dynasties, the prime minister’s car arrived at the summit, led by an honor guard and a military band in brightly colored traditional costumes.
Lee Myung-bak greeted Gao Shi with a bright smile and a handshake, saying he had been waiting for the prime minister’s arrival since the night before.
Lee Myung-bak visited Takaashi’s hometown of Nara Prefecture in January this year. The Blue House said that it was the first time for leaders of Japan and South Korea to make such a return visit to their hometown.
At the beginning of the meeting, Gao Shi expressed his gratitude to Lee Myung-bak for his warm reception, saying that Japan-ROK relations are the cornerstone of stability in the Indo-Pacific region, demonstrating his firm determination to deepen cooperation.
After dinner, the leaders of the two countries visited Hahoe Village, a world heritage site featuring traditional dwellings, and watched a traditional performing arts program together, deepening friendship.
Leaders emphasize more than just their personal relationships.
The two countries have repeatedly expressed their sense of crisis in the security environment at the summit and joint press conference. Gao Yi said that the international community is facing an extremely difficult period, and Lee Myung-bak said that the international situation is like a storm.
In late February, following the last Japan-ROK summit, U.S. President Trump’s administration launched an attack on Iran, resulting in the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Both Japan and South Korea rely heavily on crude oil imports from the Middle East and face serious supply crises. At Tuesday’s summit, Gao and Li unveiled a plan to explore mutual supplies of petroleum products.
“This reflects the win-win relationship between Japan and South Korea in assisting each other in areas of mutual concern,” an aide to the Japanese prime minister said.
This cooperative stance is underlined by concerns in both Tokyo and Seoul that Washington’s focus on the Middle East could lead to a reduced U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific.
During the meeting, Takaichi and Lee also discussed the outcomes of the U.S.-China summit held last week.
Amid deteriorating relations with Beijing, some within the Japanese government worry that China may try to drive a wedge between Tokyo and Seoul and the Japan-U.S. alliance. This is because South Korean leftists and supporters of Lee Myung-bak are concerned about the revision of Japan’s three security documents, which Beijing has criticized as “new militarism.”
At the joint press conference, Lee Myung-bak talked about the necessity of trilateral cooperation between Japan, China and South Korea, but did not further mention China. I believe he intends to maintain a bystander stance on the confrontation between Japan and China.
“We need to solidify our relationship with President Lee Myung-bak to prevent South Korean leftists from aligning themselves with Beijing’s ideas,” a Japanese foreign ministry official said.
Consider each other
The recent Senior High School-Li meeting was the third meeting since October.
Despite their different political affiliations – as a conservative prime minister and a left-wing president – they have much in common, including rising through the ranks and maintaining high approval ratings.
Since taking office, the leaders of the two countries have adhered to a pragmatic line, always accommodated each other’s positions and bridged differences.
After the last summit, Takaichi chose not to send cabinet members to the Takeshima Day commemoration ceremony in February, although he has long advocated sending cabinet members to attend.
South Korea, for its part, agreed to launch vice-ministerial talks between the two countries’ foreign ministries and defense ministries, a move South Korea has long been hesitant to take.
After the first meeting on May 7, Gao Yi and Li Zairong welcomed the new framework and emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“We promise that if we have any problems or concerns about our relations with other countries, we will hold frequent phone talks,” Gao said at a joint news conference, drawing laughter from Lee Myung-bak. “Next time I’d ask him to go to Japan – maybe I’d suggest a hot spring.”
While differences remain over history and other issues, the challenge now is to achieve tangible results from the trust built through mutual visits. The true strength of the rapport developed between the two leaders has yet to be proven.
