At APEC Summit, Japan–South Korea Meetings Highlight ‘Transformative Phase’ in Relations

Meetings between Japanese and South Korean leaders—featuring an unexpected trek—underscored a ’very positive trend' in relations between the two countries.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (L) and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol look on during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, Calif., on Nov. 16, 2023. Brendan Smialowski/ AFP via Getty Images

At last week’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, Japan and South Korea’s leaders convened for their seventh meeting this year, underscoring a strengthened partnership. Their discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations and collaborating in the face of regional and global shifts, with a particular emphasis on developing joint industrial strategies.

Additionally, both leaders attended a seminar on advanced technology at Stanford University, aligning with the United States to foster global technological advancements.