President Lee Jae Myung on Oct. 21 speaks at a Cabinet meeting held at the presidential office in Seoul. (Office of the President)

By Kang Gahui

President Lee Jae Myung on Oct. 21 said he hoped to meet in person new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, her country's first female head of state and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and hold "constructive dialogue" with her at the upcoming gathering of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

He wrote on the official website of the Office of the President, "I congratulate the inauguration of Prime Minister Takaichi."

"Korea and Japan are neighbors that share the same front yard and have developed cooperative relations in various sectors including politics, security, economy, and socio-cultural and people-to-people exchanges," he said. "Now we stand at an important turning point in opening a new 60-year era of bilateral ties."

"At a time when uncertainty has never been higher in the international situation, the importance of Korea-Japan ties is also greater than ever," he added. "At this critical time, I look forward to jointly bolstering the future-oriented and mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries and our two peoples with the Prime Minister."

kgh89@korea.kr