South Korea, Japan Pledge Closer Ties at G7 Summit Canada

At the G7 summit in Canada, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held their first in-person talks, pledging to strengthen cooperation between their countries. Emphasizing the importance of Japan-South Korea relations, the leaders described their connection as 'inseparable,' akin to neighbors sharing a front yard, and committed to enhancing trilateral cooperation with the United States to address regional security challenges, including North Korea's nuclear threats. This diplomatic engagement marks a pragmatic shift for Lee, who has moderated his previously critical stance toward Japan to focus on a 'future-oriented' improvement of ties amid complex geopolitical tensions. Both leaders acknowledged the significance of their alliance for U.S. strategic interests in the region, especially in managing geopolitical risks posed by North Korea and China. Although Lee had planned to meet President Donald Trump during the summit, the meeting was canceled due to Trump's early departure amid the Israel-Iran conflict. The renewed Japan-South Korea partnership under Lee's leadership signals a cautious but deliberate effort to balance historical grievances with contemporary security and economic cooperation.