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What's up around the Prime Minister

Japan-Republic of Korea Summit Meeting


Friday, December 17, 2004


The Photograph of Prime Minister Koizumi who Shakes Hands with President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea The Photograph of Japan-Republic of Korea Summit Meeting The Photograph of Two Leaders who Hold a Joint Press Conference
The Photograph of Two leaders who are Walking together across a Courtyard The Photograph of the Two Leaders who Have a Tea Ceremony

Click photographs to enlarge


Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi arrived at Kagoshima Airport on the government plane to attend a meeting at a hotel in Ibusuki City with Mr. Roh Moo Hyun, the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), who was visiting Japan on the same day.

This was the second Japan-Republic of Korea summit meeting this year since the previous one at Cheju Island in the ROK in July. Prime Minister Koizumi and President Roh discussed the promotion of negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), exchange programs that will be conducted as part of the Japan-Korea Friendship Year 2005 scheduled for next year, which marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of relations between Japan and the ROK, and the issues of North Korea. Prime Minister Koizumi and President Roh reached agreement on the FTA issue to aim for its conclusion by the end of next year and with regard to mutual exchanges to consider increasing the number of daily flights between Haneda Airport and Kimpo Airport from the current four to eight. The two leaders shared a view on the issues of North Korea that the Six-Party Talks should be resumed at the earliest date possible, while closely monitoring the moves and responses made by North Korea regarding the abduction and nuclear weapons issues. Furthermore, Prime Minister Koizumi and President Roh agreed to hereafter name the Japan-Republic of Korea Summit Meetings the "Shuttle Summit Meetings" and periodically deepen their exchanges.

After the meeting, the two leaders held a joint press conference in which Prime Minister Koizumi said, "We have discussed that what must be recognized of the past history must be recognized while facilitating an even stronger friendly relationship, and that a better relationship must be constructed long into the future in a wide range of areas from politics, economy, culture and arts to sports with a future-oriented mentality. I wish to continue meetings with President Roh to further develop the friendly and cooperative relationship between Japan and the ROK."

Following the press conference, a dinner party hosted by Prime Minister Koizumi was held that night.

Overnight into the following morning, December 18, the two leaders enjoyed a tea ceremony, after walking together in casual clothes with no ties across a courtyard of the hotel where they were staying.