Image Credits : The Hill
The potential visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to South Korea remains undecided, according to a senior official from Seoul. This follows recent media reports suggesting a possible summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol in early September.
According to Japan’s Kyodo News, Kishida has been considering a visit to South Korea before stepping down from his leadership role in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The visit would aim to further improve diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries. Despite the speculation, the official clarified that while there have been discussions, nothing has been confirmed yet.
The South Korean government expressed its openness to meeting with Kishida as part of the ongoing “shuttle diplomacy” between Seoul and Tokyo. This diplomatic practice, which involves regular visits by the leaders of both nations, resumed after a prolonged freeze due to historical disputes and territorial issues.
The improved relations between South Korea and Japan are largely attributed to South Korea’s decision last year to settle the long-standing issue of compensating Korean forced labour victims from Japan’s colonial era without demanding contributions from Japanese companies. This move helped thaw relations and paved the way for greater cooperation, particularly in the area of trilateral security with the United States.
Security concerns, including North Korea’s escalating nuclear threats, have also driven Tokyo and Seoul to strengthen their partnership. Both leaders have prioritized bolstering ties to address regional security issues, especially under the growing influence of authoritarian regimes in the region.