South Korean President Lee Jae Myung signalled a diplomatic reset with Japan ahead of his visit to Tokyo this weekend, telling the Yomiuri Shimbun that he will respect existing bilateral accords, including the 2015 agreement under which Japan contributed ¥1 billion ($6.8 million) to support Korean women forced to work in wartime military brothels. Calling it “undesirable to overturn” deals struck by previous administrations, the liberal leader said Japan remained a “very important country” for Seoul’s economic and security interests. Lee’s decision to make Japan his first overseas destination—preceding a summit in Washington two days later—breaks with South Korean precedent and has been welcomed by lawmakers across Japan’s ruling and opposition parties. Former prime minister Yoshihide Suga and other legislators praised the move as evidence of Lee’s intent to build a forward-looking partnership while managing lingering historical grievances. In the interview, Lee also outlined a three-stage plan to denuclearise the Korean peninsula, beginning with a freeze on North Korea’s weapons programme and culminating in full dismantlement in coordination with Tokyo and Washington. The twin priorities of honouring past agreements and deepening trilateral security ties are expected to dominate Lee’s talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday.