South Korea's Lee to go for Japan summit every week after assembly China's Xi

[ad_1] South Korea goals for balanced diplomacy with China, Japan Japan may underscore ties with US, South Korea, analyst says Talks may give attention to cooperation in areas of AI, enterprise SEOUL, Jan 12 (Reuters) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is ready for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday, every week after assembly with Chinese language President Xi Jinping, as Seoul seeks to stability ties with each neighbours.

The summit in Japan's Nara Metropolis comes amid a rising diplomatic dispute between Beijing and Tokyo , and analysts count on Takaichi to spotlight the soundness of three-way ties between the USA, Japan and South Korea. Join <a data-testid="Link" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/south-koreas-lee-head-japan-summit-week-after-meeting-chinas-xi-2026-01-12/undefined?location=article-paragraph&redirectUrl=%2Fworld%2Fchina%2Fsouth-koreas-lee-head-japan-summit-week-after-meeting-chinas-xi-2026-01-12%2F" class="text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC">here.

Lee is searching for to stability ties with China and Japan which may make it simpler to achieve pacts in enterprise fields equivalent to artificial intelligence (AI). Lee stated the battle between China and Japan was not fascinating for regional peace, however Seoul wouldn't meddle within the ongoing row.

"It is clear that Chinese language President Xi Jinping has a really unfavorable view of Japan's place on the matter of Taiwan," Lee stated throughout an interview with Japanese broadcaster NHK. "I believe it is a matter between China and Japan, not one thing we must always deeply contain ourselves in or intervene with."

BEIJING IRKED BY TAKAICHI COMMENTS ON TAIWAN Beijing was infuriated after Takaichi stated in November a Chinese language assault on democratically ruled Taiwan could possibly be deemed an existential menace to Japan, which may set off a army response from Tokyo.

China regards Taiwan as a part of its territory, a declare the island's authorities rejects.

Within the face of the stress with China, Japan could search to bolster diplomatic ties with South Korea, presumably by way of a strategic partnership, stated Lee Chang-min, a Japan knowledgeable at Hankuk College of International Research.

"Not solely has Japan's relationship with China deteriorated, the USA has additionally put somewhat distance from Japan in its (Taiwan) stance," stated Lee.

South Korea's Lee and Takaichi could focus on the Japan-China dispute throughout their assembly, a safety adviser to Lee, Wi Sung-lac stated on Friday. Nonetheless, South Korea is unlikely to take sides, analysts stated.

NORTH KOREA ISSUES Perennial considerations, such because the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and the destiny of Japanese nationals kidnapped by neighbouring North Korea are additionally anticipated to determine on the agenda.

Nonetheless, analysts stated the areas providing the simplest scope for concrete agreements could lie in enterprise, equivalent to cooperation in AI and chips, and easing journey for enterprise executives between the nations.

The 2 leaders are anticipated to extensively focus on "areas immediately associated to individuals's livelihoods ... equivalent to mental property and AI," Wi stated.

The summit in Takaichi's house prefecture of Nara additionally presents Lee a chance to take up problems with regional cooperation, as a part of a pledge to spur improvement in areas outdoors Seoul.

Ties are nonetheless suffering from longstanding rigidity on matters equivalent to Japan's colonisation of Korea, together with the remedy of Korean girls compelled to work in its wartime military brothels . Such historic points have moved from the centre stage of relations for now, analysts stated, although some in South Korea nonetheless need them to remain excessive on the agenda.

Lee stated South Korea’s long-standing ban on seafood from Japan’s Fukushima area could be a key matter mentioned on the summit, although resolving the problem within the quick time period could be difficult resulting from a scarcity of public belief in Korea.

Lee's two-day go to to Japan, shorter than his four-day journey to China, is a part of "shuttle diplomacy" efforts that the 2 nations agreed final 12 months.