South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a bilateral summit in Nara, Japan, which concluded with a K-pop drum duet performance by both leaders. The summit aimed to strengthen diplomatic ties and address regional cooperation, with discussions encompassing economic security, North Korea, and historical issues.
Leaders Perform K-Pop Drum Duet
On Tuesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi performed a K-pop drum duet following their summit talks in Nara, Japan. The performance featured songs including "Dynamite" by BTS and "Golden," identified by one source as being from the film "KPop Demon Hunters."
Prime Minister Takaichi, who has a background as a drummer in a heavy metal band, organized the drum session as a surprise. She stated on X that the idea stemmed from President Lee mentioning his interest in playing drums during an APEC meeting the previous year. President Lee characterized his performance as "a little clumsy" and expressed that playing drums was a "longtime dream." He also stated, "Although our tempos were a bit different, we both tried to match the rhythm together - we will create a future-oriented relationship with one heart." Prime Minister Takaichi commended President Lee's quick learning. After the performance, both leaders exchanged signed drumsticks. A video of the event was later shared on Prime Minister Takaichi's official Instagram account.
Diplomatic Engagement and Summit Details
The two-day summit took place in Nara, Prime Minister Takaichi's home prefecture. During President Lee's visit, he presented Prime Minister Takaichi with a drum set. In a notable diplomatic gesture, Prime Minister Takaichi made an unscheduled appearance to greet President Lee upon his arrival at his accommodation, bowing 90 degrees. She also reportedly told President Lee's wife, Kim Hea Kyung, that she found her "absolutely beautiful." On Wednesday morning, the leaders visited the Horyu-ji temple together.
The summit followed President Lee's recent visit to Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly encouraged him to align with "the right side of history."
Bilateral Relations and Regional Cooperation
The event underscored ongoing efforts to improve diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan, nations that share a security alliance but have a history of strained relations and territorial disputes. Prime Minister Takaichi confirmed that both governments intend to continue close communication and "shuttle diplomacy" to develop stable Japan-South Korea relations.
Substantive discussions during the summit addressed several topics, including DNA testing for victims of the 1942 Chosei coalmine disaster, cooperation on scam crime, the initiation of economic security talks, and issues concerning North Korea. Issues such as "comfort women" and territorial disputes were not addressed during this summit.
Both South Korea and Japan are strategic allies of the United States and maintain a significant U.S. military presence. They have cooperated to counter China's assertiveness in the region. Prime Minister Takaichi issued a statement emphasizing the increasing importance of trilateral cooperation among Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., citing rising tensions in the regional strategic environment. Additionally, the leaders agreed to enhance economic cooperation, a pledge made amidst China's tightening export controls on rare earths and dual-use goods to Japan.
Public Reception
The drumming session received favorable commentary on social media in both countries. Many users noted its symbolic value for improving bilateral relations, which have historically been impacted by past animosities. Prime Minister Takaichi has also shown appreciation for K-culture, including roasted seaweed, cosmetics, and K-dramas.