South Korea, Japan agree to shore up energy cooperation, strengthen security ties

ANDONG, South Korea — South Korea and Japan agreed on Tuesday to expand cooperation on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil supplies, including joint stockpiling measures and petroleum product swap arrangements, the two leaders said.

President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made the announcement following their meeting in Lee’s hometown of Andong. Both sides said they would deepen coordination to stabilize energy supply chains and broaden cooperation with other Asian partners, as global supply disruptions linked to conflict in the Gulf continue to strain their import-dependent economies.

“Recent instability in supply chains and energy markets stemming from the situation in the Middle East has further underscored the need for close cooperation between our two countries,” Lee said in a joint statement.

Takaichi said the two countries also launched a bilateral initiative aimed at strengthening energy supply resilience. The initiative includes enhancing strategic reserves in the Indo-Pacific region and assessing energy security measures such as mutual swap arrangements for crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG.

The leaders also reaffirmed stronger security coordination, including trilateral cooperation with the United States, as they address shared challenges such as North Korea and broader regional tensions.

Lee said recently upgraded vice ministerial-level security talks between Seoul and Tokyo represent “meaningful progress” in institutionalizing defense dialogue.

The summit in Andong marked the sixth meeting between the two leaders since Lee took office and the second this year under their “shuttle diplomacy” framework.

Both leaders said the rapid succession of meetings—including reciprocal visits to each other’s hometowns—demonstrated growing trust and an expanding scope of cooperation beyond capital-to-capital ties, extending into regional and economic engagement.

Despite longstanding historical disputes, South Korea and Japan have moved to strengthen coordination in recent years, placing greater emphasis on economic security, advanced technology cooperation including artificial intelligence, and regional stability.

During the visit, the leaders are scheduled to attend a banquet featuring Korean and Japanese cuisine as a symbol of bilateral friendship. They will also observe cultural performances, including a piano recital and a traditional riverside program featuring firework displays and pansori performances.

-Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim and Kaori Kaneko in Tokyo; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Peter Graff/Reuters