Pres. Lee to visit Japan for summit from Aug. 23 in potential resumption of regular high-level meetings

Our other major story tonight: President Lee Jae Myung's summit diplomacy.

A day after setting the date for the South Korea-U.S. summit, the Presidential Office today announced that President Lee will first visit Japan next weekend for talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Our Park Kun-woo reports.

A Korea-Japan summit will take place next week.

The Presidential Office officially announced on Wednesday that President Lee plans to head to Japan for two days from August 23rd to meet his Japanese counterpart Prime Minister Ishiba.

This means his visit will take place right ahead of Lee's scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on August 25th.

"We hope Lee's visit strengthens the personal relationship and trust between the two leaders. They are expected to explore ways for future-oriented cooperation between the two countries along with their trilateral cooperation with the U.S."

The upcoming Lee-Ishiba summit comes after the two leaders agreed to immediately resume regular high-level meetings during the G7 summit held in Canada's Kananaskis in June.

The Presidential Office added regional issues regarding peace and stability, along with other global issues may be discussed.

While the exact agenda has yet to be decided on, the office added issues regarding import regulations for fisheries imports could be on the table, with the government raising potential health issues that could affect Koreans.

With less than two weeks left until the meeting, eyes are on whether this signals a resumption of regular summits between the two countries.

Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.