1. The latest opinion poll shows that the gap between the two leading candidates in South Korea’s presidential election has narrowed significantly. The election is slated for June 3. The results released on Friday by Gallup Korea show that the candidate from South Korea’s largest opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, is the frontrunner with 45 percent in favor. He is trailed by Kim Moon-soo, of the conservative ruling People Power Party, at 36 percent. The survey of 1,002 respondents was held from Tuesday through Thursday. In last week’s Gallup Korea poll, Lee garnered 51 percent and Kim 29 percent.
2. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Friday. Ishiba expressed his expectations for productive negotiations in the upcoming ministerial-level tariff talks in Washington. The call, requested by the US side, lasted 45 minutes. Ishiba said he is looking forward to meeting Trump at the G7 summit to be held in Canada in mid-June. Trump responded that he was too. The two leaders also discussed national security. Trump outlined his recent trip to the Middle East, and Ishiba responded that he appreciated the diplomatic efforts.
3. Japan’s new agriculture minister, Koizumi Shinjiro, says he will take steps so rice from government stockpiles can be sold at retail stores from early June in the 2,000 yen range, or about 14 to 21 dollars, per 5 kilograms. The ministry is releasing the reserve rice through auctions starting in March in an effort to stabilize distribution and lower prices. But rice prices have continued to soar. Koizumi is planning to use no-bid contracts to sell the stockpiled rice instead of auctioning it off to the highest bidders. He said at a news conference on Friday that the plan is to sell the reserve rice through discretionary contracts.