Seoul: Prime Minister Kim Min-seok emphasized the significance of South Korea's relationship with Japan, highlighting the numerous opportunities for mutual cooperation between the two nations. These remarks were made during a meeting with Japanese delegates who were visiting Seoul for the Korea-Japan Forum. The discussions come as President Lee Jae Myung prepares to travel to Tokyo for summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba later this week.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Prime Minister Kim stated, "With the launch of the new administration, South Korea and Japan are moving forward on a future-oriented path." He underscored the importance of the bilateral relationship, indicating that the president's upcoming visit to Japan is a testament to this forward-looking cooperation.

The Japanese delegates in attendance, which included former Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Yasumasa Nagamine and Japanese lawmakers, reiterated Tokyo's commitment to fostering "a more mature, robust and future-oriented" relationship between the two countries. This sentiment aligns with the objectives of the Korea-Japan Forum, an annual event established in 1993 to facilitate high-level dialogue between the nations.

President Lee is scheduled to leave for Tokyo to engage in summit discussions with Prime Minister Ishiba. Following his visit to Japan, Lee will travel to Washington for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on August 25, marking his first official meeting with the American leader.