President Lee Jae Myung is set to visit Japan's Nara prefecture for two days early next week for discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on enhancing bilateral relations, Cheong Wa Dae announced .
Lee is set to leave for Japan next Tuesday for the summit discussions, taking place in the Japanese prefecture of Nara, Takaichi's place of origin, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
According to a statement from Cheong Wa Dae, the two leaders are anticipated to converse about various regional and global matters, alongside discussions on the economy, society, and culture.
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Lee and Takaichi previously conducted summit discussions on October 30 during an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju and had a brief meeting at the Group of 20 leaders' summit in South Africa in November.
Lee is set to participate in a friendship event with Takaichi next Wednesday and will engage with ethnic Koreans in Japan prior to heading home that day.
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The journey will be Lee's second trip to the neighboring nation following his August visit to Tokyo, where he engaged in summit discussions with Takaichi's predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba.
The upcoming trip is anticipated to bolster the forward-looking momentum of bilateral relations through "shuttle diplomacy," or mutual visits, as stated by Cheong Wa Dae.
Lee expressed his aim to strengthen relations with Japan in a progressive way, while also acknowledging the enduring historical issues related to the wartime period during Korea's colonial rule by Japan from 1910 to 1945.
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The anticipated meeting between Lee and Takaichi takes place amid ongoing tensions between Tokyo and Beijing concerning the Japanese prime minister's comments on Taiwan.