Ahead of the Korea-Japan summit scheduled for May 19 in Andong, South Korea, major domestic companies met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo to discuss strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. Attention is focused on whether concrete business outcomes will emerge in advanced industries such as supply chains, artificial intelligence (AI), and energy during their meetings with Japanese business leaders.
According to industry sources on May 18, the Korean delegation, led by Gu Ja-yeol, chairman of the Korea-Japan Economic Association and LS Group, departed for Japan earlier that day and held a series of meetings with Japanese government officials and key political figures. The delegation met with Prime Minister Takaichi around 3 p.m. and reportedly requested enhanced economic cooperation in key sectors, including global supply chain collaboration, AI data centers, and energy.
Takaichi welcomed the delegation's visit, stating, "I greatly appreciate the Korea-Japan Economic Association's representatives. I have been invited to visit Andong, the hometown of President Lee Jae-myung, on May 19, and I believe that business leaders have played a crucial role in fostering friendly relations between our two countries." She added, "I pay my respects to the business leaders who have maintained communication and cooperation, whether our relationship was good or faced challenges."
Earlier, the delegation also met with Ryota Takeda, chairman of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary Federation, who recently emphasized the need for technological cooperation between the two countries. Discussions likely focused on collaboration in advanced industries such as semiconductors. On May 19, the delegation is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Yawata Iwao and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura Toshio.
The visiting delegation includes Gu Ja-yeol, Shin Dong-bin, chairman of Lotte Group, Gu Ja-eun, chairman of LS Group, Gu Ja-kyun, chairman of LS Electric, Kim Dong-wook, vice president of Hyundai Motor, Lee Hyung-hee, vice chairman of SK, and Lee Jae-eun, president of Samsung C&T.
The Korea-Japan Economic Association, in collaboration with the Japan-Korea Economic Association, will hold the 58th Korea-Japan Economic Conference in Tokyo on May 19-20 under the theme "Next Step Together." The event is expected to focus on the restructuring of global supply chains and the intensifying competition in the AI industry. As the U.S.-China conflict continues and protectionist trends spread, the need for cooperation between Korean and Japanese companies in strategic industries such as semiconductor materials, components, equipment, batteries, automotive, and energy infrastructure is growing.
There are also expectations for specific collaboration opportunities between companies from both countries. LS Group plans to expand its engagement with Japanese firms in the power equipment and wire sectors, while Hyundai Motor aims to enhance its collaboration in future mobility. Doosan is also looking to expand its connections in the semiconductor materials sector.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.