Japan-Republic of Korea Summit MeetingiAtami, 23-24 September 2000j

On Saturday, 23 September 2000, Prime Minister Mori received President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea in Atami, a famous resort about 90 km south-west of Tokyo, and over the weekend the two leaders held in a relaxed environment a Japan-Republic of Korea Summit Meeting, the third since Prime Minister Mori had taken office in April 2000.

The overall assessment of the Summit is that both Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and President Kim Dae Jung had a very fruitful exchange of views on cultural exchange and the people-to-people exchange, as well as cooperation in economic areas, based on progress and developments in wide-ranging cooperation between the two countries since 1998, when President Kim Dae Jung visited Japan.

With respect to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, both leaders reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation and coordination between Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States of America in terms of policy in relation to North Korea. It was noted that Japan and the Republic of Korea had witnessed positive developments taking place since the North-South Summit had taken place in June 2000.

Both leaders talked about bilateral relations, including political relations, economic cooperation, cultural exchange and the people-to-people exchange, as well as the issue of voting rights in local elections for Korean permanent residents in Japan.

Both leaders recognized that the bilateral relationship has been developing in an extremely positive and favorable manner since 1998. Prime Minister Mori and President Kim Dae Jung also confirmed that the Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration and its attached document, the gAction Plan,h together with the Japan-Republic of Korea Agenda 21, have been steadily implemented since the documents had been agreed upon in 1998. Furthermore, both leaders agreed to strive to build a new era of relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea in the 21st century.

In relation to economic cooperation, they first talked about reduction of the trade imbalance through trade expansion and the expansion of Japanese investment in the Republic of Korea, and then efforts toward the possible conclusion of a bilateral investment agreement by the end of 2000 were mentioned in this context.

Feasibility of a free trade agreement was also discussed; the leaders agreed on the establishment of a gJapan-Republic of Korea FTA Business Forum,h in which private sector leaders are expected to fully discuss the FTA issue between the two countries. Issues of mutual recognition agreement (MRA) and agreement on social security were also touched upon.

In the area of information and communications technology, the leaders agreed upon and issued the gJapan-ROK/ROK Japan Information Technology (IT) Cooperation Initiative,h and henceforth both countries will promote cooperation in this area based on this initiative.

Aviation was also discussed, along with the increase in tourists, and the promotion of the people-to-people exchange between the two countries. Given that the flight capacity between Japan and the Republic of Korea is limited, President Kim Dae Jung expressed his hope to increase the flight capacity between the two countries. As a drastic increase in demand is foreseen when Japan and the Republic of Korea will co-host the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, Prime Minister Mori responded that he would follow up with interest, taking into account the importance of the people-to-people exchange.

The two leaders exchanged views on the cultural exchange and people-to-people exchange with satisfaction.

President Kim Dae Jung expressed his appreciation for the message which Prime Minister Mori had extended on the occasion of the North-South Summit to express his support and also for the special G8 Statement on the Korean Peninsula issued by the G8 at the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit. President Kim Dae Jung said that he believed that the very close cooperation and coordination between Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States had greatly contributed to the successful meeting that he had had with General Secretary Kim Jong Il of North Korea.

Prime Minister Mori responded that he welcomes the developments in relations between the Republic of Korea and North Korea, and he paid tribute to the strong will and patience of President Kim Dae Jung with which he has been promoting the gengagement policyh with North Korea. Prime Minister Mori also expressed his appreciation for the cooperation that President Kim Dae Jung has given in terms of Japan-North Korea relations, especially his conveying a message to General Secretary Kim Jong Il. The Prime Minister said that he is determined to make efforts to continue talks on the normalization of relations with North Korea, though there are difficult issues, such as the issue of abduction.

President Kim Dae Jung then explained the situation in North Korea. He described the North Korean regime as stable. However, he said they have a big problem in their economy, particularly with respect to food -- the food situation is very severe. In that context, he said, if Japan could provide or extend food aid to North Korea, he believed that North Korea would surely be appreciative.

Prime Minister Mori replied that Japan is studying the possibility of further food aid to North Korea, and as a matter for the future he feels no reluctance in terms of cooperation in the area of infrastructure. However, Prime Minister Mori pointed out there are concerns among Japanese people about economic aid to North Korea, which still maintains a great military capability, because Japanese people suspect that such economic assistance would allow North Korea to build a stronger military capability. Consequently, Prime Minister Mori said that at this stage it would be difficult for him to get the understanding of the Japanese people required to provide such economic assistance to North Korea.

President Kim Dae Jung expressed the view that relations between the Republic of Korea and North Korea, Japan and North Korea, and the United States and North Korea should develop with positive mutual effects on one another. In that vein, he expressed the strong hope that relations between Japan and North Korea will be improved.

The leaders also talked about the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) 3, drugs, terrorism, and other international issues including the situation in Myanmar.

Prime Minister Mori is very content with the fruitful meeting with President Kim Dae Jung.