By Na Jeong-ju
President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan agreed Monday to work closely together to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue quickly, based on “forward-looking” ties between the two countries.
In their summit held on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels, Lee and Kan exchanged opinions on how to develop Korea-Japan relations and tackle nuclear threats from North Korea and other regional security issues.
“The leaders agreed to foster future-oriented bilateral ties and cooperate closely for an early resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue,” Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.
It was their second meeting this year and the first since Kan formed a new Cabinet in September following an election victory.
North Korea is also expected to be a key topic in Lee’s talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today as the reclusive country appears to be gearing up a power transfer from leader Kim Jong-il to his youngest son, Jong-un.
Pyongyang has said it is willing to return to the stalled six-party talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear program. The two Koreas, the
United States, Japan, China and Russia are involved in the talks.
The Japanese leader asked Lee to make efforts to strengthen forward-looking relations between South Korea and Japan. In response, Lee expressed hope that the two countries will move toward “a century of a bright and future-oriented relationship,” Cheong Wa Dae said.
Lee and Kan also agreed to work together for the success of the G20 Summit to be held in Seoul from Nov. 11 to 12 and the APEC summit slated from Nov. 13 to 14 in Yokohama.
With regard to the Korea-Japan free trade agreement, they called for the need to continue efforts to create a favorable condition for the resumption of talks, according to the presidential office.
Later on Monday, President Lee also had one-on-one meetings with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and called for their support to ensure Seoul’s successful hosting of the G20 meeting.