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TOP > What's up around the Prime Minister > February, 2008

Prime Minister Visits the Republic of Korea
and Attends the Inauguration Ceremony
for the New President Lee Myung-bak


Sunday, February 24, to Monday, February 25, 2008
Photograph of Prime Minister and Mrs. Fukuda being Welcomed by President and Mrs. Lee prior to the Summit Meeting Photograph of the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting Photograph of the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting
Photograph of the Prime Minister visiting Cheonggyecheon River Photograph of the Inauguration Ceremony for the New President Lee Myung-bak

Click photographs to enlarge


On February 24, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda left Japan for the Republic of Korea (ROK) to attend the inauguration ceremony for Mr. Lee Myung-bak, the new President of the ROK.

The same day, Prime Minister Fukuda visited Cheonggyecheon River in Seoul, which was restored in 2005 and has now become one of the city's tourist attractions. Later, the Prime Minister held a dinner with invited guests, representatives from the political and business fields in the ROK.

On February 25, Prime Minister Fukuda attended the inauguration ceremony for President Lee, which was held at a square in front of the National Assembly Building in Seoul. Afterward, Prime Minister Fukuda held a meeting with President Lee, which was the first Japan-ROK Summit Meeting after the inauguration of the President.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Fukuda said in response to questions from reporters that, "Japan-ROK relations will enter a new era. We share the view that our summit diplomacy will take the form of shuttle diplomacy, which enables a frank exchange of opinions. Concerning the issue of North Korea, I believe that our two countries must cooperate toward denuclearization of North Korea, and that the relations among Japan, the United States and the ROK are extremely important in that respect, and as such, I would like to maintain a close coordination with the United States and the ROK. On the abduction issue, too, President Lee expressed his deep understanding and intention to cooperate. Also, we agreed to resume the negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which have been halted for a long time, starting with preparatory meetings. Details will be discussed during President Lee's visit to Japan scheduled to take place sometime after the middle of April."

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