Photo : YONHAP News
President Lee Jae Myung has greeted Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the entrance of their summit venue in Lee’s hometown of Andong on Tuesday, as she arrived at the location.
The South Korean president received the Japanese leader in front of a hotel in the southeastern city, and a traditional honor guard and a military band lined up to welcome her as treatment befitting a state visit.
Lee said Takaichi had gone through such a hardship to get to the small city and that he had been waiting for her since the night before.
The Japanese prime minister’s latest two-day trip reciprocates the South Korean president’s trip to her hometown of Nara in January.
The two leaders began a small-group meeting at the hotel.
Following their summit, the leaders are expected to deliver a joint press statement, attend a dinner banquet and watch a traditional game of Seonyu Julbul Nori and a traditional pansori performance in Andong’s Hahoe Village.