"Shuttle Diplomacy Over Historical Issues"... Japanese Media Highlight President Lee's 'Future-Oriented' Address
Kyodo News: "Maintaining a Focus on Korea-Japan Cooperation Since Taking Office"
Nikkei & Sankei: "Pursuing the Future Through Shuttle Diplomacy"
On March 1, major Japanese media outlets focused on President Lee Jaemyung's commemorative address at the 107th anniversary ceremony of the March 1st Movement, highlighting his emphasis on a future-oriented relationship between the two countries rather than on sensitive historical issues.
Kyodo News noted that while President Lee had taken a tough stance on historical issues with Japan in the past, he has refrained from criticism and prioritized bilateral cooperation since taking office. The outlet reported that in his speech on this day, President Lee particularly stressed the importance of the bilateral relationship amid a challenging international situation.
Nikkei reported that it is customary for the March 1st Movement anniversary address to mention Korea-Japan relations, and pointed out that President Lee demonstrated an active approach to advancing bilateral ties through “shuttle diplomacy” between the leaders, without referencing specific current issues. Sankei Shimbun also quoted President Lee as saying, “Now is the time for Korea and Japan to respond to reality and open the future together,” and reported that there were no remarks regarding historical or territorial disputes.
Asahi Shimbun assessed that “President Lee emphasized the importance of facing up to past issues, while also prioritizing a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship.” Asahi reported that while President Lee did not directly mention issues such as the comfort women or forced labor, he expressed his hope for a positive response from the Japanese government in building a new relationship between the two countries.
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Meanwhile, Kyodo News also reported that President Lee expressed his intention to resume inter-Korean dialogue, as well as to communicate with neighboring countries for the swift resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States.
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