This is Prime Minister Takaichi's real aim | Professor Lee Chang-min, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies [Lee Seung-won's Perspective]

Summary

Professor Lee Chang-min analyzes the recent Korea-Japan summit in Andong, highlighting the full establishment of shuttle diplomacy and incremental progress in energy and security cooperation. He explains Japan's growing military assertiveness driven by regional instability and the US strategic shift. The discussion also covers the status of CPTPP accession, defense industry complementarity, and the need for legal frameworks for economic security.

• The Andong summit marks the full normalization of shuttle diplomacy between Korea and Japan.
• Energy cooperation focuses on LNG and oil supply sharing to manage asymmetric crises.
• Japan has abolished restrictions on finished arms exports to 17 nations.
• Japan's military buildup is fueled by concerns over US reliability and China's assertiveness.
• Korea and Japan have complementary defense strengths: land forces vs. naval/air components.
• CPTPP accession by Korea is delayed due to domestic sensitivities over Fukushima seafood and agriculture.
• Economic cooperation is best left to firms; governments should mitigate cross-border legal and security risks.
• The line between economic and security issues is blurring, requiring coordinated policy.