President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will hold their third summit in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, on Nov. 19. The talks are expected to cover a range of issues, including the outcome of the U.S.-China summit, the Iran war and Korea's potential accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Kang Yu-jung, senior presidential spokesperson, said Saturday that Takaichi will visit Andong, Lee's hometown, for a two-day trip on Nov. 19-20. The two leaders will hold small-group and expanded summit meetings, a joint press announcement, a dinner and other engagements. "The two leaders will hold wide-ranging discussions on the direction of Korea-Japan relations and strengthen practical cooperation in various areas directly tied to people's livelihoods, including the economy, society and public protection," Kang said. "They will also discuss regional and global issues, including the situation in the Middle East."
Lee and Takaichi held their first summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju last October, followed by a second meeting in January when Lee visited Takaichi's hometown of Nara, Japan. "With Takaichi reciprocating about four months later by visiting Andong, Korea and Japan have for the first time realized mutual hometown visits between their leaders," Kang said.
As the summit comes immediately after the U.S.-China summit on Nov. 14, the impact of easing tensions between Washington and Beijing, the Iran war and energy supply responses are expected to be among the key agenda items. Korea's CPTPP accession is also likely to be on the table. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Nov. 13, "We aim to pursue diplomacy that minimizes the negative impact of overseas risks and revitalizes the economy by expanding our economic activity space," adding, "We are reviewing CPTPP accession in terms of market expansion."
Korea and Japan also discussed pursuing CPTPP accession at their summit in January. However, differences between the two countries over import restrictions on seafood from Fukushima remain a hurdle.
