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TOP > What's up around the Prime Minister > October, 2006

Prime Minister Visits South Korea
(Japan-South Korea Summit Meeting)


Monday, October 9, 2006
Photograph of Prime Minister laying a wreath at the National Cemetery Photograph of Prime Minister Abe holding talks at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Han Myeong Sook Photograph of Prime Minister Abe shaking hands with President Roh Moo Hyun
Photograph of Prime Minister Abe holding talks with President Roh Moo Hyun Photograph of Prime Minister attending a press conference on his visit to South Korea Photograph of the two leaders and the first ladies at a dinner hosted by the President


Click photographs to enlarge


Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left on the government plane from Beijing on the morning of October 9 (Japan time: morning of the same day) for Seoul, the capital of South Korea (the Republic of Korea) and the next destination of his visit.

Prime Minister Abe visited the National Cemetery and laid a wreath, after which he attended a luncheon hosted by Ms. Han Myeong Sook, the Prime Minister of South Korea.

After the announcement by North Korea that the country had conducted a nuclear test on October 9, Prime Minister Abe held a meeting with Mr. Roh Moo Hyun, the President of South Korea. At a press conference that followed, Prime Minister Abe said, "We have shared the recognition that the test poses a grave threat to the security of Japan, South Korea, and other neighboring countries, as well as a threat to international peace and security. In addition, we have agreed that North Korea's development and production of nuclear weapons can never be tolerated and should be met with a decisive stance." Prime Minister Abe referred to the abduction issue by saying, "I have explained our commitment to the abduction issue. The issue violates Japan's sovereignty and represents a grave problem that has deprived Japanese people of their lives, including that of a 13-year-old girl. The reunion of Mr. Kim Young Nam and his family is the result of the collaboration between Japan and South Korea. The cooperation between our two nations continues to be important in the efforts to solve the abduction issue."

Prime Minister Abe attended a dinner hosted by President Roh Moo Hyun. He thereafter left for Japan, having completed all of the scheduled meetings and activities.

Related link:
Press Conference by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Following His Visit to the Republic of Korea