Fact-check: The bilateral summit between Japan PM Sanae Takaichi and South Korea President Lee Jae-myung occurred in Gyeongju during the APEC 2025 meetings in late October 2025, as confirmed by multiple reputable sources including AP News, Reuters, Kyodo, and official Japanese MOFA statements, which note the leaders avoided historical issues like colonial rule. Recent X posts from Japan Times (March 1-2, 2026) highlight ongoing positive Japan-SK cooperation without thorny history mentions, consistent with the article's claims. Global Times accurately reports the event per situation context.
Japan, South Korea leaders meet in Gyeongju; avoid sensitive historical issues
The leaders of Japan and South Korea held a bilateral summit in Gyeongju, marking continued efforts to maintain diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The meeting notably avoided contentious historical issues that have long strained relations between the two countries, including disputes over wartime labor and comfort women. The summit reflects ongoing efforts by both sides to stabilize ties amid shared regional security concerns.