Second Seoul‑Tokyo Summit in Nara Deepens Security, Economic Ties and Humanitarian Cooperation
Updated (4 articles)
Second Nara Summit Marks Continued Shuttle Diplomacy President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Nara for a two‑day meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the second shuttle‑diplomacy summit since Takaichi’s October inauguration and the first full summit between the two leaders [1]. Their first encounter occurred on the sidelines of the APEC forum in Gyeongju, establishing a rapid follow‑up rhythm to sustain momentum [1][2]. The summit underscored Seoul’s intent to act as a regional intermediary while deepening bilateral ties [1].
Cooperation Agenda Spans Denuclearization, Supply Chains, Crime Lee and Takaichi agreed to intensify collaboration on North Korea’s denuclearization, secure supply‑chain resilience, and joint actions against transnational crime [1][3]. They also outlined broader cooperation in artificial intelligence, economic exchange, cultural exchange, and people‑to‑people programs [3]. Working‑level mechanisms will be activated to translate these commitments into concrete projects [1].
China‑Japan Tensions Frame Bilateral Dialogue The talks unfolded against heightened Sino‑Japanese friction, highlighted by Beijing’s restriction on rare‑earth exports to Japan after Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan [1]. Lee’s recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, just eight days earlier, reinforced Seoul’s balancing act between the two powers [1][2]. Both leaders stressed that Japan‑South Korea cooperation is as vital as ties with China for regional stability [1][2].
DNA Analysis Deal Targets Chosei Mine Victims The leaders endorsed a humanitarian initiative to identify remains from the 1942 Chosei undersea coal‑mine disaster, which killed 183 people, including 136 Korean forced laborers [1]. They committed to using DNA analysis to confirm identities of remains recovered last August [1][4]. This agreement signals a rare convergence of historical reconciliation and scientific cooperation [1].
Historical Issues Set Aside While Trust Building Continues Both sides acknowledged lingering historical disputes but agreed to handle them on separate tracks, focusing instead on forward‑looking security and economic collaboration [1][2][4]. Takaichi pledged closer work to promote regional stability, while Lee called for confronting history directly yet expanding mutual trust [2][3]. The summit thus marked a pragmatic shift toward partnership despite unresolved past grievances [1][4].
Sources (4 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: Seoul and Tokyo deepen security and economic ties after second shuttle‑diplomacy summit: details the Jan 14 Nara summit, agreements on security, economy, Chosei mine DNA analysis, and the broader regional context.
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[2]
Yonhap: Lee says Korea‑Japan cooperation vital amid complex regional order in Nara talks: emphasizes Lee’s message that cooperation with Japan is essential amid a shifting world order and references six decades of normalization.
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[3]
Yonhap: Lee urges Seoul‑Tokyo cooperation amid complex global order: outlines Lee’s long‑term agenda covering AI, culture, supply‑chain weaponization, and the need to confront history while deepening trust.
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[4]
AP: Japan's Takaichi to host Lee in Nara for first full summit amid regional tensions: describes the first full summit’s focus on trade, security, US pressure, cultural site visit, and humanitarian discussion on the Chosei mine remains.
Timeline
Jan 12 2026 – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announces she will host South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Nara for their first full‑scale summit, the third meeting since she took office. The agenda targets trade cooperation, joint responses to China’s growing regional clout and North‑Korean threats, and a cultural stop at the historic Hōryū‑ji temple. Officials also flag a humanitarian side‑track to analyse DNA from remains recovered at the 1942 Chōsei under‑sea coal‑mine disaster that killed 183 workers, including 136 Korean forced labourers[1].
Jan 13 2026 – At the opening of the Nara talks, President Lee declares that “cooperation between South Korea and Japan is more important than ever” and urges both sides to “confront history while expanding mutual trust.” He frames the dialogue as part of “shuttle diplomacy” that should carry the 60‑year post‑1965 normalization relationship into the next six decades, and he warns that geopolitical uncertainty is turning supply‑chain interdependence into a weapon[3][4]. Prime Minister Takaichi replies that she will work closely with Lee to promote regional stability and elevate bilateral ties[3][4].
Jan 13 2026 – The leaders endorse a joint humanitarian project to identify the Chōsei mine victims through DNA analysis, pledging resources to complete the work that began after the remains were found in August 2025. The move signals a rare convergence of historical reconciliation and practical cooperation, addressing a painful legacy of Japan’s wartime forced‑labour program[2].
Jan 14 2026 – The Nara summit concludes with a formal agreement to deepen security and economic cooperation, including coordinated efforts on North‑Korea’s denuclearisation, secure supply‑chains for rare‑earth minerals, and joint action against trans‑national crime. Lee reiterates to Chinese President Xi that “ties with Japan matter as much to South Korea as ties with China,” positioning Seoul as a diplomatic bridge amid heightened Sino‑Japanese tensions after Tokyo’s recent remarks on Taiwan. Both sides commit to sustained working‑level talks while keeping historical disputes on a separate track[2].