Lee meets with ex-Japan PM Ishiba, thanks for support of mending ties | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Yi Wonju SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- 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. "I am grateful that the South Korea-Japan relations became considerably more stable while you were in office and that bilateral cooperation between the two countries has since progressed well," Lee said. "With a broad interest in global issues, you played a significant role," he added. Ishiba expressed his appreciation to Lee for hosting the luncheon, saying he gave utmost priority in advancing the bilateral ties with South Korea during his one-year term. "Although one year was a short term, I valued the development of the Japan-South Korea relations the most in the context of diplomacy," Ishiba said. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) and former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pose for a photo ahead of their meeting over a luncheon at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 8, 2026, in this photo released by the presidential office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) julesyi@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Lee #Japan Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message (2nd LD) Trump claims Iran's president has asked for ceasefire; Iran denies it Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

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OK
By Yi Wonju
SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- 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.
"I am grateful that the South Korea-Japan relations became considerably more stable while you were in office and that bilateral cooperation between the two countries has since progressed well," Lee said.
"With a broad interest in global issues, you played a significant role," he added.
Ishiba expressed his appreciation to Lee for hosting the luncheon, saying he gave utmost priority in advancing the bilateral ties with South Korea during his one-year term.
"Although one year was a short term, I valued the development of the Japan-South Korea relations the most in the context of diplomacy," Ishiba said.
Lee and Ishiba first met at the Group of Seven summit in June last year shortly after Lee took office. The two leaders later held bilateral summits in Tokyo and Busan, resuming shuttle diplomacy and deepening bilateral ties between the two countries.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) and former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pose for a photo ahead of their meeting over a luncheon at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 8, 2026, in this photo released by the presidential office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Lee meets with ex-Japan PM Ishiba, thanks for support of mending ties

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- 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. "I am grateful that the South Korea-Japan relations became considerably more stable while you were in office and that bilateral cooperation between the two countries has since progressed well," Lee said. "With a broad interest in global issues, you played a significant role," he added.

### Areas for Consideration
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) and former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pose for a photo ahead of their meeting over a luncheon at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 8, 2026, in this photo released by the presidential office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) julesyi@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Lee #Japan Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message (2nd LD) Trump claims Iran's president has asked for ceasefire; Iran denies it Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Implications
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) and former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pose for a photo ahead of their meeting over a luncheon at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 8, 2026, in this photo released by the presidential office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) julesyi@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Lee #Japan Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message (2nd LD) Trump claims Iran's president has asked for ceasefire; Iran denies it Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers lee, korea, ishiba topics. Notable strengths include discussion of lee. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 516.