Seoul, Tokyo to Resume Trade Talks
By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
President-elect Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will hold a summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul Monday after Lee is sworn in, a source said Friday.
The two leaders are expected to agree on the need to resume negotiatimg an economic partnership agreement (EPA) between the two countries, he said.
Bilateral talks for the EPA, a preliminary step for a free trade agreement (FTA), have been suspended for three years.
The EPA talks began in December 2003 but were halted as Japan rejected Korea's demand to open 90 percent of its agricultural market. Korean automakers (including Hyundai Motor) have opposed the pact.
The two leaders are expected to confirm their cooperation in pressuring North Korea to completely fulfill its commitment to disable its nuclear facilities and provide a full account of its nuclear programs in line with the Six-Party Accord.
The Japanese prime minister is also likely to seek cooperation from Lee, who advocates a tougher stance toward North Korea, over resolving the issue of the North's abduction of Japanese nationals.
This will be Fukuda's first visit to Seoul since taking office last September. He will be the fourth Japanese prime minister to attend a Korean presidential inauguration.
Lee is expected to visit Japan in late April after holding a summit with George W. Bush in mid-April in the United States, in a move that will pave the way for the resumption of shuttle diplomacy between the two leaders.
Fukuda, known for his non agressive stance in promoting amicable relations with other Asian neighbors, has said he will opt not to visit the Tokyo shrine.
Lee expressed his willingness to develop bilateral relations without treating historical issues emotionally.