South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from R) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L), accompanied by Shokaku Furuya, chief of Horyu-ji, a World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple founded in the seventh century, tour the temple in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026. (Yonhap)
NARA, Japan, Jan. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea has reaffirmed its bid to join the trans-Pacific trade pact during the summit talks between President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Lee’s top security adviser said Wednesday.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac told reporters that relevant government departments were expected to discuss the matter to join the 12-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
During the Lee-Takaichi summit, South Korea and Japan also discussed Seoul’s ban on seafood from eight Japanese prefectures imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Wi said.
With regard to South Korea’s ban on seafood imports from Japan, Wi said, “There was an explanation from the Japanese side about food safety.”
Wi said the South Korean side “listened to this explanation.”
Before the summit with Takaichi, Lee told Japan’s NHK public broadcaster that the issue of South Korea’s ban on seafood imports from eight Japanese prefectures needs to be addressed “over the long term,” because it requires the trust of the Korean people.
South Korea imposed the ban in 2013 over radiation concerns following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and has vowed to keep the restrictions in place until public concerns are fully eased.
(Yonhap)
