Lee to Visit US, Japan in April
By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda agreed to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between their two countries.
Lee also held a series of meetings with Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, Russian Prime Minister Victor Zubkov, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamed Mahatir.
In a summit at Cheong Wa Dae after Lee's inauguration ceremony, Lee and Fukuda agreed to resume talks for an economic partnership and a free trade agreement (FTA), presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said.
The two leaders also agreed to cooperate in resolving North Korea issues, including pressuring Pyongyang to completely fulfill its commitment to disabling its nuclear facilities and providing a full account of its nuclear programs in line with the a six-party talks agreement.
The spokesman also said the two leaders will meet again in Tokyo from April 21-22 to discuss details on pending bilateral issues.
Under their consensus on a ``shuttle diplomacy,'' Fukuda promised to visit Seoul again during the second half of this year.
Lee is also expected to visit the United States in April. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed that George W. Bush is waiting for Lee's early visit to the U.S.
Fukuda was the fourth Japanese prime minister to attend a South Korean presidential inauguration.
``I appreciate your inviting me as the first guest,'' Fukuda said. ``I believe it's an expression of your consideration of Japan.''
Lee said, ``The first guest's arrival is very meaningful. Thank you very much for visiting.''
Chinese State Councillor Tang said, ``Your speech this morning would appeal to Koreans. I think Korea will see a great performance as a developing society and economy under your administration.''
Lee said, ``I'm grateful to President Hu Jintao, who has sent a congratulatory letter and dispatched a delegation.''
Lee's aides said that Lee and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice exchanged views on ways for parliamentary ratification of the FTA between the two countries and full reopening of Korea's beef market to the United States.
They also discussed denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the aides said.
The U.S. delegation included U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill and Wendy Cutler, who was Washington's chief negotiator for the Korea-U.S. FTA.