SEOUL: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will make a two-day visit to South Korea from May 19 at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung, Seoul’s presidential office said Friday.
The trip comes as the two US-allied democratic neighbors seek to strengthen ties while facing shared challenges from nuclear-armed North Korea and a more assertive China.
Takaichi will travel to Andong, Lee’s hometown and the capital of North Gyeongsang Province, in what Seoul described as a reciprocal gesture after the Japanese leader hosted Lee in her home prefecture of Nara in January.
“The two leaders will broadly discuss the direction of development for South Korea-Japan relations and ways to strengthen practical cooperation in various areas,” Lee’s office said.
They will also discuss regional and global issues, including the situation in the Middle East, as well as matters affecting people’s livelihoods such as the economy, society and public safety, it added.
