Lee Jae-myung, the front-runner in South Korea¡¯s June 3 presidential election, is continuing to play down his earlier hard-line views on his country¡¯s tumultuous relationship with Japan, with the Democratic Party (DP) candidate hinting that he would not take an antagonistic approach to ties if elected.
¡°There is a preconception that I am hostile toward Japan,¡± Lee told a livestreamed meeting with South Koreans abroad on Tuesday, according to local media. ¡°Japan is a neighboring country, and we must cooperate with each other to create synergy.¡±
Officials in Tokyo are closely watching Lee¡¯s remarks for hints of how bilateral relations could shift if he is elected.
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