South Korean and Japanese leaders agreed Saturday to work toward "future-oriented" bilateral relations and to continue close cooperation in dealing with North Korea.
In their first-ever summit, President Lee Myung-bak and his new Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan "consulted on issues of mutual concern including the relations of the two nations, the North Korea issue, and international cooperation," Lee's office, Cheong Wa Dae, said in a press release.
Lee and Kan are in Toronto to attend a two-day summit of the Group of 20 economies to end on Sunday.
The Japanese prime minister reaffirmed Tokyo's strong support for the South Korean government in connection with the sinking of a South Korean naval ship in March. North Korea is accused of sinking the Cheonan in a torpedo attack, killing 46 crew members. South Korea formally requested last month that the U.N. Security Council discuss punitive measures against Pyongyang.
"The leaders of the two nations agreed to continue close cooperation in the process of handling the Cheonan issue at the U.N. Security Council," Cheong Wa Dae said.
On the often-prickly bilateral relations of the neighboring nations, Kan said this year is very important as it marks the centennial of Japan's colonization of Korea that lasted until 1945.
"Japan will not ignore the past and make efforts for a new future," Kan was quoted as saying.
Lee replied, "I expect South Korea and Japan to open their minds and cooperate sincerely toward a new 100 years on the basis of mutual trust."