Lee, Bush Reaffirm Alliance
President Expresses Concern Over Tokyo’s Move to Define Dokdo as Japanese Territory in Textbook
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak Wednesday agreed with U.S. President George W. Bush to strengthen cooperation in dealing with North Korea's nuclear weapons program and foster a stronger alliance between the two countries.
Lee met Bush on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in Toyako in northern Japan, which ended after a three-day run.
``Lee and Bush discussed various issues of mutual concern, including the resumption of the six-party talks on Pyongyang's nuclear program and international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,'' a Cheong Wa Dae spokesman said. ``The leaders shared the goal of maintaining peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula based on a strong alliance and agreed to cement economic cooperation.''
It was the second summit between the two leaders in less than three months. They met at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland on April 20 when Lee visited the United States. Bush is expected to make a return visit on Aug. 5-6 on his way to Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
``Lee and Bush agreed to work together closely within the framework of six-party talks so that North Korea can fully and completely abandon all its nuclear programs as early as possible,'' the spokesman said.
The summit in Toyako came as top nuclear envoys were making last-ditch efforts to resume the six-party negotiations, involving the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, North Korea, China and Russia, after a nine-month suspension. The multilateral talks are scheduled to reopen Thursday in Beijing.
Lee and Bush also exchanged opinions on boosting economic ties, including the implementation of the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA), signed by the two governments in April last year. The leaders agreed to push for ratification of the deal by lawmakers from the two countries as early as possible, Cheong Wa Dae said.
South Korea resumed U.S. beef imports last month to smooth the way for the U.S. Congress to approve the deal. The Cabinet approved a bill on KORUS FTA on July 1, saying it will submit it to the National Assembly soon to seek ratification.
``Lee and Bush pledged to implement accords reached by the two governments at a recent additional round of negotiations on beef imports in Washington,'' the presidential office said.
Lee also held summits with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
``Lee met with Fukuda for 15 minutes before they attended an expanded G8 summit and conveyed the South Korean people's concern about Japan's move to define Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo as part of its territory in the guidelines for Japanese middle-school textbooks,'' a presidential spokesman said.
``Lee asked Fukuda to carefully handle the issue and the Japanese leader said he has full understanding of the South Korean government's position on Dokdo.''
Seoul and Tokyo have been at odds over territorial and historical issues, such as Japan's claim to Dokdo and Japanese leaders' repeated visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where Japanese top war criminals are buried.
Lee also agreed with the leaders of Russia and Indonesia to promote economic cooperation, Cheong Wa Dae officials said.
It was the first summit between Lee and Russian President Medvedev since they took office in late February and in early May, respectively.
Lee expressed hope for a visit to Moscow at an early date. Initially, the two countries planned to hold a summit in the Russian capital in late June, but they couldn't reach an agreement on the timing.
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan may visit Russia to discuss matters regarding the Lee-Medvedev summit and ways to boost economic cooperation, foreign ministry officials said.