What Did South Korea’s President Lee Say to Japan’s PM Takaiichi During Their Historic Dinner?

Translation result.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested holding the next shuttle diplomacy in a Japanese hot-spring town.

President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi(Andong=Yonhap News) President Lee Jae-myung and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi greet each other at a hotel in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, where their summit was held on May 19, 2026. [Provided by the Blue House. Resale and database use prohibited] photo@yna.co.kr(Andong=Yonhap News) President Lee Jae-myung and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi greet each other at a hotel in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, where their summit was held on May 19, 2026. [Provided by the Blue House. Resale and database use prohibited] photo@yna.co.kr

President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shared a dinner after their summit. Kang Yoo-jung, the Blue House’s chief spokesperson, said in a written briefing on May 19 that the dinner, which lasted more than an hour, featured warm and cordial exchanges between the two leaders. At the meal, President Lee said it was particularly meaningful to welcome Prime Minister Takaichi in his hometown of Andong. He noted that meeting her four times over roughly seven months since she took office appears to have deepened their personal rapport. He also recalled that during her visit to Nara, Japan, last January, Prime Minister Takaichi personally taught him to play the drums, and he said their candid communication and mutual understanding have had a positive effect on bilateral ties. Prime Minister Takaichi said she was deeply impressed by Andong residents who welcomed her on the streets as she moved to the summit venue. She told the president she was struck by the large election banners around town—larger than those she typically sees in Japan—and asked whether South Korea was in the middle of a campaign period. Takaichi also expressed strong interest in South Korea’s oil price cap policy and the consumer coupon program, asking the president how payments are made and who is eligible. She proposed that the next round of shuttle diplomacy take place in a regional hot-spring city in Japan, and President Lee replied with a smile, “If I say I’ll go to a hot spring, will it be arranged right away?”—prompting laughter among participants. For Yonhap News TV story inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23 Lee Da-hyun (ok@yna.co.kr)