Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung met with former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday, highlighting the former prime minister's efforts in restoring "shuttle diplomacy" and mending frayed bilateral ties. Lee hosted the luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae for Ishiba, who stepped down last September and was succeeded by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi amid a domestic political crisis.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee expressed his gratitude towards Ishiba, acknowledging that South Korea-Japan relations became considerably more stable during Ishiba's tenure. Lee praised the bilateral cooperation that progressed well under Ishiba's leadership, noting Ishiba's significant role in addressing global issues.

Ishiba, in turn, expressed his appreciation to President Lee for hosting the luncheon and emphasized the priority he placed on advancing bilateral ties with South Korea during his one-year term. Ishiba highlighted the importance he placed on developing Japan-South Korea relations within the broader context of diplomacy.

The two leaders first met at the Group of Seven summit in June last year, shortly after Lee took office. They later held bilateral summits in Tokyo and Busan, where they resumed shuttle diplomacy and worked towards deepening bilateral ties between the two countries.