KUALA LUMPUR – South Korea and Japan hold a summit in Nara on 13 January to explore ways to strengthen trade ties and address historical disputes through humanitarian cooperation.

The talks will focus on Seoul’s bid to join the Japan-led Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and potential cooperation on historical issues.

The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions, including North Korea’s threats and China-Japan disputes over Taiwan, with President Lee Jae Myung having met Chinese President Xi Jinping days earlier.

A professor of Japanese studies at Kookmin University, Lee Won-deog highlighted the impact of regional tensions on the summit and the need for careful diplomacy.

“The summit is likely to be influenced by China-Japan tensions, making it important for South Korea to conduct dialogue carefully and pragmatically,” said Lee.

Director of the Center for Diplomatic Strategy at the Sejong Institute, Lee Ki-tae said South Korea should maintain strategic ambiguity and focus on broad principles, such as supporting peace and stability in East Asia.

Economic issues are also on the agenda, as China’s export restrictions on rare earths and dual-use goods to Japan may indirectly affect South Korea, creating room for talks on supply chains and free trade facilitation.

CPTPP accession is viewed as Seoul’s most important practical goal, offering opportunities to expand economic ties with Japan, though no major agreements are expected at this stage.

On historical issues, discussions will focus on humanitarian approaches, such as the 1942 Chosei coal mine disaster and the 1945 Ukishima Maru explosion, rather than politically sensitive disputes.

“Cooperation between the two countries on these issues in humanitarian terms is likely to emerge as the most significant and tangible outcome,” Lee said.

The choice of Nara as the venue carries symbolic significance, reflecting Korea’s cultural influence on early Japan and highlighting a focus on regional cooperation and people-to-people ties.

The professor of Japanese studies at Sungkonghoe University, Yang Kee-ho noted that the choice of Nara as the summit venue carries significant meaning for regional engagement.

“Holding the summit in Nara itself sends a powerful message about placing greater emphasis on regional communities,” Yang said.

Experts say the summit is part of broader efforts to expand Korea-Japan cooperation beyond security and history to practical, everyday challenges affecting citizens.