In its article headlined "South Korea's president highlights friendly ties in Japan before key summit with Trump," The Associated Press (AP) on Aug. 24 analyzed the Aug. 23 summit between President Lee Jae Myung (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo. (Screen capture from AP's official website)

By Kim Hyelin

President Lee Jae Myung's bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Aug. 23 at the latter's official residence in Tokyo has ignited foreign media interest, as the president chose Japan, not the U.S., as the first country to visit for a summit.

Reports emphasized how both leaders pledged to improve bilateral relations and reinforce cooperation given major fluctuations in ties with Washington for both Seoul and Tokyo under the second term of U.S. President Donald Trump.

In its article headlined "At historic summit between Japan and South Korea, Trump's presence looms large," CNN on Aug. 23 said that "unlike his predecessors, (President) Lee didn't visit the United States first. Instead, his first stop was Japan," adding, "Tokyo and Seoul issued their first joint statement in 17 years."

The story said the bilateral summit struck a "pragmatic tone," with Korea and Japan putting aside longtime conflict and seeking to improve relations due to the effects of President Trump.

The Associated Press in the Aug. 24 article headlined "South Korea's president highlights friendly ties in Japan before key summit with Trump" said "he (President Lee) is the first South Korean president since the 1965 normalization of ties to choose Japan as the first destination for a bilateral summit after taking office."

"Japanese officials see it as a sign of Lee placing great importance on relations between the two neighbors."

It added, "Lee's visit to Japan may help him prepare for his crucial first summit in Washington on Aug. 25 with U.S. President Donald Trump."

kimhyelin211@korea.kr