JAPANESE Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Seoul today for the second personal summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in just two months.

The two leaders said they would discuss North Korea’s nuclear programme and “economic security” — often a euphemism for participation in the US-led effort to isolate China economically.

Following 12 years without any direct meetings, both governments have bowed to US pressure to develop closer links, with US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel chairing 40 trilateral meetings with its key East Asian allies aimed at overcoming their mutual hostility.