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President Lee to Address Japan’s Seafood Ban in CPTPP Talks

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President Lee to Address Japan’s Seafood Ban in CPTPP Talks

President Lee Jae-myung said ahead of his visit to Japan on the 13th to the 14th, “The issue of Japan’s seafood import restrictions is highly likely to become another important agenda.” This suggests that South Korea may discuss easing or lifting its ongoing ban on seafood imports from eight prefectures near Fukushima since the nuclear accident, as part of efforts to join the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) led by Japan.

In an interview with Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, released on the 12th, President Lee responded to a question about his stance on the seafood import ban from Fukushima Prefecture amid South Korea’s positive approach toward CPTPP membership. He stated, “This issue needs to be resolved in the long term,” adding, “In the short term, lifting the ban is difficult due to South Koreans’ emotional and trust issues. However, as a key agenda for securing Japan’s cooperation on CPTPP membership, it is a topic that must be actively discussed.”

President Lee is scheduled to visit Nara Prefecture, the hometown and electoral district of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, on the 13th for a summit.

In March 2023, when he was the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, President Lee raised the possibility of resuming imports of Fukushima agricultural and seafood products, stating, “The lives and safety of the people are under threat.” His shift in stance appears linked to the government’s decision to pursue CPTPP membership to diversify markets amid U.S.-led protectionist trends. CPTPP, a mega free trade agreement with 12 members including Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the UK, requires unanimous approval from existing members, making Japan’s consent essential.

During his state visit to China from the 4th to the 7th, President Lee introduced that he told Chinese President Xi Jinping, “For South Korea, relations with Japan are as important as those with China.” He added, “I believe the conflict between China and Japan over Taiwan is not an issue South Korea should deeply engage in or intervene in,” and expressed hope for a “smooth resolution through dialogue.”

◇Lee: “Criticized Japan as opposition leader, but now will be more cautious”

At the Korea-Japan summit on the afternoon of the 13th, Prime Minister Takaichi is expected to actively explain Japan’s position in the Sino-Japanese conflict triggered by her November 2024 remarks suggesting Self-Defense Forces intervention in a Taiwan contingency. Japanese media, including the Nikkei, also anticipated that China-related issues would be a major focus.

When asked, “China seems to urge South Korea to align on Taiwan and South China Sea issues—what is South Korea’s stance?” President Lee replied, “President Xi Jinping clearly holds negative views on Japan’s position regarding Taiwan. He expressed this, but I believe it is a matter between China and Japan, not one South Korea should deeply engage in or intervene in.”

He emphasized, “Each country has its own core interests and existential issues,” but added, “From the perspective of peace and stability in Northeast Asia, confrontation between China and Japan is undesirable. I hope the two countries will resolve their differences through dialogue.”

Regarding Prime Minister Takaichi’s eagerness for a summit with North Korea, President Lee said, “We will actively support and assist.” He stated, “It is better for Japan and North Korea to develop a relationship of dialogue, communication, and problem-solving. South Korea will create conditions to enable this.” He added, “Issues like abductees, peace and stability in Northeast Asia, and the fact that North Korea is a close neighbor make it desirable for inter-Korean relations to improve quickly for the sake of peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

On security cooperation with Japan, President Lee said, “The basic framework is trilateral security cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, and we must proceed accordingly.” However, he noted, “The most critical part is mutual trust. South Koreans have concerns about Japan,” and stressed, “Sensitive issues should be handled carefully, while actively cooperating in areas without problems to navigate this complex situation.”

The visit to Nara was decided after President Lee invited Prime Minister Takaichi to hold the next summit there during her visit to Gyeongju in late October last year for the APEC summit. In the interview, President Lee described Prime Minister Takaichi as “initially perceived as very conservative and tough on South Korea, but in person, she is very humane, energetic, and passionate. Like me, she is self-made and politically successful without any special background, which resonated with me.” He added, “Nara, like Gyeongju, is a millennium-old capital. My hometown Andong is similar. If there’s an opportunity, I’d like to invite her to Andong next time.”

Regarding his past strong criticisms of Japan as Democratic Party of Korea leader, President Lee said, “I came to think that political clashes ultimately harm the emotional interests and future of both nations and their peoples.” He added, “Being a national leader responsible for the country’s fate is different from being an opposition politician. I must be more serious and cautious.”

On Korea-Japan relations, he emphasized, “It is crucial that South Korea and Japan share values and goals. We should complement each other’s shortcomings, compete, and find more areas for cooperation.” He urged, “Face the past, cooperate where possible, and move toward the future hand in hand,” adding, “This is a message I want to convey to the Japanese people.”

When asked, “What is needed to prevent backsliding in future Korea-Japan relations?” President Lee cited K-pop teams with Japanese members as “the most desirable example of Korea-Japan cooperation.” He said, “We should manage bad memories while expanding positive, hopeful aspects.” In closing, he stated, “South Korea and Japan are neighbors sharing the same front yard—inseparable—and must minimize misunderstandings and conflicts while moving toward a future-oriented, cooperative relationship.”

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