South Korean President and Japanese Prime Minister during a meeting at Camp David, August 2023. (Source: Japan Times)

On November 17, meeting on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco (USA), South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio pledged to cooperate on clean energy supply chains, quantum computing and other innovative technologies at a roundtable in Silicon Valley.

In addition to military and economic cooperation, the two leaders also signaled that scientific and technological cooperation would be a focus in building the bilateral relationship. Each spoke of the importance of sharing technology with like-minded countries.

Noting that innovations like quantum computing have national security implications, President Yoon said collaborative development must take place with countries that share common values.

For his part, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized that he wants to join Korea in announcing a joint supply network for carbon-neutral fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia.

It is the latest effort by the Asian neighbours to improve ties, which Mr Kishida called “deeply troubled” before the two sides embarked on a campaign to mend bilateral ties this year.

The two leaders have met several times since their summit at Camp David with US President Joe Biden last August.

The two leaders of Japan and South Korea also had a joint meeting with President Biden on the sidelines of the APEC Summit on the same day.