New Delhi, May 20 -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held their fourth meeting in about six months on Tuesday, underscoring the need for greater cooperation between the historical Asian rivals amid global challenges, including the Iran war.

Lee hosted Takaichi in his hometown of Andong, a southeastern South Korean city famous for its centuries-old traditional folk village, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In January, the two met in Takaichi's hometown of Nara, an ancient Japanese capital.

The meetings marked the first time sitting leaders of the two countries have visited each other's hometowns.

"The fact that such meaningful and historic exchanges took place in the span of just four months ...