Lee, Takaichi Hold Summit in Nara on Regional Security

Nara, Japan - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae held a summit meeting in Nara, Japan, according to statements from South Korea's presidential office.

The leaders met for approximately 100 minutes on Jan. 13, conducting both small-group and expanded bilateral talks from 2 p.m. to 3:37 p.m., followed by additional discussions and dinner lasting 105 minutes from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., 

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said in a briefing.

The summit was the third meeting between Lee and Takaichi since the latter took office, following Takaichi's October visit to South Korea during the APEC summit and a November meeting at the G20, Wi said.

On Jan. 14, the two leaders visited Horyuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, according to the briefing.

The leaders agreed to develop a framework for cooperation extending beyond trade to include economic security, science and technology, and joint norm-building, Wi said.

They decided to have relevant authorities conduct consultations on these matters.

The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence and intellectual property protection through continued working-level discussions, according to the briefing.

The two countries agreed to strengthen joint responses to transnational crimes, including scam operations, Wi said.

Japan will participate in an international cooperation consultative body launched last year under the leadership of South Korea's National Police Agency, and the two countries will prepare documentation to systematize bilateral cooperation, he said.

The leaders agreed to cooperate on DNA testing to identify remains discovered in August at the site of a 1942 flooding accident at the Josei coal mine in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, according to Wi.

Takaichi raised this issue as the first major topic during private talks, he said.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and construction of lasting peace, agreeing to maintain close coordination on North Korea policy, Wi said.ssion from 5:30 p.m. to 5:52 p.m. on Jan. 13, the leaders participated in a drum performance together, according to presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-jun.

The leaders wore blue uniforms featuring national flags and their names in English, and played drums to K-pop songs "Golden" by Demon Hunters and "Dynamite" by BTS, Kim said.

Lee said at the event that he had fulfilled a lifelong dream, saying drumming had been his wish since childhood, according to Kim.

Takaichi presented drumsticks to Lee, which both leaders signed and exchanged, Kim said.

Wi noted that the meetings took place in the ancient capitals of Gyeongju and Nara two months apart.