Seoul: President Lee Jae-myung on Monday urged South Korea and Japan to collaborate for a better future, emphasizing the necessity of partnership amid the evolving global environment. Lee delivered the message via a video at an event hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, which officially occurs this Sunday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation between South Korea and Japan, stating, "South Korea and Japan are key partners who must cooperate closely in responding to a rapidly changing global landscape. Let's join hands and move toward a better future." This message aligns with the official slogan for the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Historically, Korea was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945.
President Lee was absent from the ceremony due to his attendance at an expanded Group of Seven summit meeting in Canada. He has recently shifted from a hard-line stance towards Japan to sustain the positive momentum in bilateral relations that improved under the previous conservative government. Lee has committed to a "two-track" approach, aiming to separate forward-looking cooperation efforts from historical disputes tied to the colonial period.
The ceremony was attended by notable figures such as Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na and Akihisa Nagashima, special adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, alongside government officials, business leaders, academics, and key stakeholders from both countries. In her remarks, Kim emphasized that the development of South Korea-Japan relations is grounded in the trust and exchanges nurtured by the people of both nations. She reaffirmed South Korea's dedication to fostering a stable and future-oriented partnership with Japan.
The event featured a variety of performances, including those by a student choir from the Seoul Japan School and Korean pianist Lee Kyung-mi. A notable display included an old folding screen used at the treaty ratification ceremony in Seoul on December 18, 1965. The screen, which is part of a pair with the other panel held at the South Korean Embassy in Japan, was publicly shown for the second time, following its display at the 50th anniversary celebration. It bears an excerpt from a poem by 16th-century Korean poet Jeong Cheol, known by his pen name, Songgang.
The latter part of the event was set to include Japanese Ambassador to Seoul Koichi Mizushima presenting awards to individuals and groups for their contributions to enhancing bilateral relations and cultural exchange.