The second meeting between the leaders of Japan and South Korea in a short span marked another win for the Biden administration. Washington seeks a unified front with close allies to press North Korea on its nuclear program while countering the rising influence of China, according to Bloomberg.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Seoul for talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. The discussions centered on strengthening trade and security cooperation with the United States, while keeping the door open to stable, mutually beneficial ties with China, which remains a major trading partner for both nations, the report notes.
Bloomberg also reports that the Biden team has solicited assistance from Seoul and Tokyo to curb the supply of advanced semiconductor equipment to China, aiming to limit Beijing’s access to cutting-edge tech that underpins its military and economic ambitions.
Shin Kak Su, a former Korean ambassador to Japan, argues that the renewed diplomacy could help mend Seoul-Tokyo ties that have long been strained. He points to shared concerns about an unstable security environment, the North Korean threat, and a broader geopolitical contest with China as key drivers of closer cooperation.
Historically, the last Japan-South Korea summit occurred in October 2011 in Seoul, while the most recent bilateral engagement before this week was Shinzo Abe’s participation in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and his separate talks with then-President Moon Jae-in. The upcoming visit by Kishida marks a five-year gap before a Japanese premier returns to Seoul for direct talks at the highest level.
During the summit, the two leaders are expected to address Pyongyang’s evolving nuclear and missile capabilities and discuss regional stability ahead of major international gatherings, including a forthcoming G7 summit in Hiroshima. Yoon Suk-yeol is part of the invitation roster for that meeting, signaling Seoul’s active role on the world stage.
There is also mention that it could be used to shape further assistance from Seoul in the broader context of Ukraine and the ongoing crisis, with White House officials signaling ongoing coordination with Kyiv and its supporters. The dialogue reflects a broader strategy to align Asian partners with Western goals on security, trade, and technology governance, while navigating delicate relationships with China.