South Korean President Lee Jae-myung used his National Liberation Day address on Friday to signal a forward-leaning message to Tokyo ahead of his Aug. 23 summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

While both countries face an opportunity to solidify their diplomatic, defense, economic and cultural ties, the current momentum could dissipate before it produces lasting outcomes without a formal framework to rapidly institutionalize this goodwill.

Lee used the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule to promote a dual-track policy toward Japan. Speaking at Seoul’s Sejong Center on Friday, he presented unresolved historical issues