Sunday, June 28, 2009
Japan-ROK Summit Meeting
Photograph of Prime Minister Aso shaking hands with President Lee (1)
At the meeting, the leaders exchanged views on matters such as Japan-ROK bilateral relations and the North Korean issue. On the bilateral relations, they confirmed that the "shuttle summit diplomacy" has solidly taken root, and agreed to continue further strengthening the "future-oriented and mature partnership." The leaders also welcomed the holding of the working-level consultations on a Japan-ROK economic partnership agreement (EPA), which have been upgraded to the Deputy Director-General level, on July 1, and agreed to further advance considerations toward resuming negotiations. They also agreed to enhance their countries' cooperation in the fields of environment, space and nuclear power.
On the North Korean issue, both leaders confirmed the stance that nuclear and missile development by North Korea constitutes a grave threat to the security of the Northeast Asian region and cannot in any way be condoned, and agreed that all members of the United Nations (UN) should firmly implement UN Security Council Resolution 1874. They also agreed to promote information exchange and cooperation between Japan and the ROK for strict enforcement of the Security Council resolution.
At the joint press conference that followed, Prime Minister Aso said, "We devoted a substantial amount of time on the issue of North Korea, the biggest issue we currently face, and had very useful discussions. Nuclear and missile development by North Korea constitutes a grave threat to our security and cannot in any way be condoned. President Lee and I reaffirmed that we would continue to address this situation through close collaboration between Japan and the ROK as well as among Japan, the ROK and the United States. It is essential that the international community should firmly implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874. I agreed with the President to enhance collaboration in information exchanges and other areas for the purpose of implementing the resolution. Moreover, the President reiterated that cooperation to the fullest extent possible would be available from his country in order to resolve the abduction issue. I look forward to continue working with the President so as further to strengthen the 'future-oriented and mature partnership' between our two countries."
Then the leaders attended a meeting with business figures from Japan and the ROK. A total of 34 business figures attended the meeting, including Mr. Fujio Mitarai, Chairman of the Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), Mr. Tadashi Okamura, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and others representing the Japanese side, and Mr. S. R. Cho, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), Mr. Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and others representing the ROK side.
Related Link
- Joint Press Conference by Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan and President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea
- Japan-Republic of Korea Relations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Photograph of Prime Minister Aso shaking hands with President Lee (2)
Photograph of the leaders heading for the meeting venue
Photograph of the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting (1)
Photograph of the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting (2)
Photograph of the joint press conference (1)
Photograph of the joint press conference (2)
Photograph of the joint press conference (3)
Photograph of the leaders meeting with business figures from Japan and the ROK
Related photos
Click photographs to enlarge
