President Lee Jae Myung (left) on Jan. 13 announces a joint statement to the media with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the latter's hometown of Nara Prefecture, Japan. (Yonhap News)

By Margareth Theresia

President Lee Jae Myung on Jan. 13 in his summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged future-oriented cooperation for the development of bilateral relations, peace on the Korean Peninsula and regional stability.

Their meeting in the prime minister's hometown of Nara Prefecture was their second official summit, following the first on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in late October last year in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

In a joint news release announced in Nara, the two leaders agreed to expand cooperation from its focus on trade to economic security, science and technology, and solutions to social issues.

"As we enter the era of 12 million participants in people-to-people exchanges, boosting mutual understanding between future generations of both countries is the basis for future-oriented bilateral ties," President Lee said. "We proposed continuing talks on expanding exchanges between our younger generations both in quantity and quality."

Progress also came in disputes over history. Both sides will conduct joint DNA testing to identify the remains discovered in August last year of the victims of the 1942 flooding of the Chosei coal mine in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

They also agreed to maintain close cooperation for a complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, policy toward North Korea, regional stability and peace, and responses to global issues.

President Lee said, "This summit is the launching pad for reflecting on the past 60 years of bilateral ties and preparing for the next 60."

After the statement, the Japanese side in a surprise held an unannounced friendly event. Both leaders performed drums impromptu in a cultural exchange that thawed the rigid framework of bilateral ties.

Earlier, President Lee received the highest courtesy level from his arrival in Osaka to his transportation to Nara. Prime Minister Takaichi greeted him in front of his accommodations and gave him a warm welcome.

Their schedule for Jan. 14 was a joint visit to the Buddhist Horyuji Temple in an official friendly event, followed by President Lee's attendance at a meeting with ethnic Korean residents of the Kansai region including Osaka before flying home.

President Lee Jae Myung (left) on Jan. 13 holds a drum performance with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi after releasing their joint news statement following their summit in Japan's Nara Prefecture. (President Lee's official X account)