By AKIHIKO KAISE/ Staff Writer
October 21, 2025 at 17:09 JST
Lee Hyuk, South Korea’s newly appointed ambassador to Japan (Photo by Arata Namima)
Seasoned diplomat and Japan expert Lee Hyuk has officially assumed his post as South Korea’s ambassador to Tokyo, signaling Seoul’s push for steadier ties.
“I will do my utmost to ensure that Korea-Japan relations never regress but continue to move forward,” said Lee after arriving in Tokyo on Sept. 26.
Lee has held three prior diplomatic postings in Japan, led the Foreign Ministry’s Asia-Pacific bureau and served in the presidential office. He also served as ambassador to the Philippines and Vietnam.
His appointment in Japan comes after President Lee Jae-myung took office in June with an administration that has advocated a pragmatic diplomatic approach that prioritizes national interests over historical tensions.
Once known for his critical stance toward Japan, the president now emphasizes cooperation, and bilateral ties have shown signs of steady improvement.
The new ambassador, 67, described Korea-Japan relations as the most tangible example of what the administration calls practical diplomacy.
Lee has firsthand experience with the volatility of bilateral relations that he has witnessed over the course of his career in international affairs, especially regarding historical and territorial disputes.
In this new post he has pledged to strengthen the foundation for mutual cooperation and exchange with the hope of benefiting both nations.
The ambassador’s arrival coincides with a political shift in Japan, marked by the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Ishiba is viewed favorably in South Korea for his conciliatory stance on historical issues, including Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula in the first half of the 20th century.
Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is known for her nationalist views and is expected to adopt a more hawkish approach to diplomacy.
Lee appears prepared for a potentially challenging path in pursuit of his biggest goal.
“It is my duty as ambassador to respond firmly to historical issues while ensuring that the overall development of bilateral relations remains unaffected,” Lee said.
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