Japanese Prime Minister Visits Andong as Korea-Japan Relations Shift to 'Hometown Diplomacy'

Diplomacy often carries a stronger message when tied to a specific location. The venue of a summit is not merely a matter of protocol; it symbolizes the direction and atmosphere of the relationship. In this context, the Korea-Japan summit scheduled for May 19 in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, may encapsulate the recent changes in Korea-Japan relations.
 
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi will visit Andong, the hometown of President Lee Jae-myung. This visit serves as a reciprocal gesture following President Lee's trip to Nara, Japan, in January, which is Takaiichi's political base and hometown. The Blue House described this as the "first realization of mutual hometown visits between the leaders." This marks a shift from traditional shuttle diplomacy between Seoul and Tokyo to a new phase of 'hometown diplomacy,' where leaders visit each other's political and cultural roots directly.
 
The upcoming summit in Andong is also seen as highly symbolic within Japan. Officials from the Japanese Foreign Ministry suggest that Takaiichi's background as a politician from the Kansai region may influence this diplomatic style. The Kansai area has historically engaged in active exchanges with the Korean Peninsula, and a significant Korean community has developed around Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. Many in Japanese diplomacy view Takaiichi as a politician with relatively less distance from Korean culture and sentiments.
 

In fact, Nara, Takaiichi's political base, has deep historical connections with the Korean Peninsula. It is known for retaining strong influences from Baekje and Silla cultures during the formation of ancient Japanese culture. This context adds significance to President Lee's visit to Nara in January, which was interpreted as more than just a local visit.
 
The Andong summit also connects to the historical flow of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations. A notable example is the 2004 summit between President Roh Moo-hyun and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Jeju. At that time, tensions were high due to the Dokdo issue and historical conflicts, yet the leaders chose Jeju as the meeting location. This decision aimed to reduce diplomatic tension and foster trust in a more human atmosphere.
 
However, the upcoming Andong summit represents a step further than the Jeju meeting. While Jeju was characterized as 'neutral space diplomacy,' Andong embodies a more direct form of 'hometown diplomacy.' It involves sharing the life spaces and cultural roots of the leaders, aiming to build trust as a diplomatic asset rather than merely a social event.
 
The symbolism of Andong is significant. It is a center of Korean Confucian culture and traditional spirit, home to Hahoe Folk Village, Dosan Seowon, and the lineage culture. The visit of a Japanese prime minister to such a space carries implications beyond a simple local itinerary. The image of a Japanese leader visiting the heart of Korean traditional culture sends a diplomatic message in itself.
 
This summit is particularly noteworthy amid changing international dynamics. The North Korean situation remains unstable, and the U.S.-China strategic competition is intensifying. Coupled with unrest in the Middle East, risks related to energy and maritime security are also rising. The Japanese government has publicly emphasized that "the importance of Korea-Japan relations and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation is growing," reflecting this backdrop.
 
Ultimately, both Korea and Japan find themselves in urgent need of stabilizing their relationship. Japan's security strategy, centered on the U.S., faces challenges without cooperation from Korea, while Korea also recognizes the necessity of collaboration with Japan in terms of supply chains, advanced industries, and economic security.
 
Of course, historical issues remain a challenge. However, diplomacy ultimately hinges on how well future needs can manage past conflicts. The Andong summit indicates that Korea-Japan relations are moving beyond mere practical diplomacy to a stage where they are adjusting the 'temperature of the relationship.'
 
Just as the Jeju summit between Roh Moo-hyun and Koizumi remains a symbolic moment in that era of Korea-Japan relations, the upcoming Andong summit between Lee Jae-myung and Takaiichi is likely to be frequently referenced in discussions about the future of Korea-Japan relations. This time, it is neither Seoul nor Tokyo, but each leader's hometown. This shift itself speaks to a new direction in Korea-Japan relations.