South Korea and Japan discuss strengthening ties to contain North Korean aggression

Fumio Kishida is first Japanese leader to set foot in South Korea in 12 years amid frought ties

Yoon Suk Yeol shakes hands with Fumio Kishida (left) during their meeting at the former’s presidential office (Getty)

The leaders of South Korea and Japan met for talks on Sunday in which they pushed for closer ties, alongside the US as a shared regional ally, to counter the “serious threat to peace” posed by North Korea.

Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida arrived in South Korea for a two-day visit to meet president Yoon Suk Yeol, the first visit by a Japanese leader to Seoul in 12 years and the latest step towards a thaw in tensions that date back to their wartime history.

Mr Kishida’s visit, which came on the heels of Mr Yoon’s trip to Tokyo in March, reflects the restoration of “shuttle diplomacy” – regular back-and-forth bilateral visits that ended abruptly in 2011 over historical issues.