Lee Jae-myung, the front-runner in South Korea*s June 3 presidential election, is continuing to play down his earlier hard-line views on his country*s tumultuous relationship with Japan, with the Democratic Party (DP) candidate hinting that he would not take an antagonistic approach to ties if elected.

※There is a preconception that I am hostile toward Japan,§ Lee told a livestreamed meeting with South Koreans abroad on Tuesday, according to local media. ※Japan is a neighboring country, and we must cooperate with each other to create synergy.§

Officials in Tokyo are closely watching Lee*s remarks for hints of how bilateral relations could shift if he is elected.