South Korea’s President in Japan to shore up ties before meeting Trump
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Japan on Saturday for a summit expected to reaffirm security cooperation between the two East Asian neighbours before Lee meets U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.
On his first official visit to Japan since taking office in June, Lee will meet Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the premier’s residence in Tokyo to discuss bilateral ties, including closer security cooperation with the United States under a trilateral pact signed by their predecessors.
Japan and South Korea also share common ground on trade, with both agreeing to 15% tariffs on U.S. imports of their goods after Trump had threatened steeper duties.
In Washington, Lee and Trump are expected to discuss security concerns and Seoul’s financial contribution for U.S. forces stationed in South Korea – something the U.S. leader has repeatedly pressed it to increase.
