[Provisional Translation]

 

(President Lee Myung-bak)

(1) I am delighted to meet Prime Minister Noda. This is the Prime Minister's first visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) since assuming his position and it is his first overseas visit on the bilateral level. I welcome him to the ROK wholeheartedly.

(2) This morning I held a small-group meeting followed by a plenary meeting with the Prime Minister, in which we engaged in extremely beneficial dialogue on various issues, including the economy, security and international relations. We confirmed that our countries share the same values and that we will cooperate together towards the future. I believe that this demonstrates just how important our countries' relations are, in addition to our close geographical proximity.

(3) Although the administration of Prime Minister Noda was inaugurated 50 days previously, I reiterated my congratulations to the Prime Minister. Under the Prime Minister's experienced governance and outstanding leadership I am sure that Japan will be able to quickly overcome the difficulties it currently faces following the earthquake and nuclear accident and will continue to develop, and that Prime Minister Noda will make the best response to the situation than any other person.

(4) We two leaders share a common recognition not just on the importance of close and cooperative Japan-ROK relations, but also on the importance of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia. We confirmed today that both countries must continue to make shrewd efforts to build a new Japan-ROK relationship for the 21st century.

(5) I have often said that looking to the future without forgetting history is the basis for Japan-ROK relations. I have also stressed that the various issues that have arisen in the past require active efforts on the part of Japan.

(6) We have agreed to launch the second phase of "Joint Research Project on a New Era of Japan-ROK Relations," in order to further develop future-oriented relations between our two countries.

(7) We have decided to work to further strengthen inter-industry cooperation in the fields of components and materials, which account for a large proportion of trade between Japan and the ROK, and also enhance cooperation in third countries. The Governments of both countries have decided to provide active assistance to this end. In addition, based on the agreement at the Japan-ROK summit talks held in May this year, we have decided to actively promote bilateral cooperation for the reconstruction of Japan.

(8) Furthermore, we agreed to strengthen working-level cooperation towards the reopening at the earliest possible juncture of negotiations on a Japan-ROK free trade agreement (FTA).

(9) Given the increasing uncertainty in the global economy, in order to stabilize global financial markets, and based on our recognition of the importance of strengthening financial and monetary cooperation, we agreed to implement a Japan-ROK currency swap amounting to US$ 70 billion.

(10) We welcomed the vigorous people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the ROK, which are currently at the level of more than 5 million people annually, and act as a firm foundation for bilateral relations. We confirmed that we will work to expand people-to-people exchanges, including cultural and youth exchanges. In particular, we both highly evaluate and welcome the expansion of the framework for annual participants in the working holiday system between our two countries, to 10,000 persons from this month.

(11) We both recognize the extreme importance of the denuclearization of North Korea in the near term for the purpose of ensuring peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. Japan and the ROK will continue to engage in close cooperation towards the denuclearization of North Korea.

(12) We welcomed the establishment of the Japan-ROK-China Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat in September, and expect that it will serve to further accelerate regional cooperation in Northeast Asia. We agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation in regional and international fora, and confirmed that in particular we will cooperate closely at the G20 Summit and the ASEAN+3 and East Asia Summit (EAS) next month, as well as at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in March 2012.

(13) I hope that my meeting today with Prime Minister Noda will serve as an opportunity to further advance and develop our bilateral relations. I would like to close by reiterating my heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Noda on his visit to the ROK.

(Prime Minister Noda)

(1) First, I would like to thank President Lee Myung-bak and the Korean people for their warm hospitality.

(2) President Lee and I exchanged views on a broad range of issues toward building strong and multi-layered Japan-ROK relations, including the issue of North Korea, the situation in East Asia, and reinforcement of economic partnerships.

(3) Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) share basic values and interests, including in ensuring the peace and prosperity of the East Asian region. The ROK is the destination of my first overseas visit for a bilateral meeting. The purpose of this visit (to the ROK) was to build a cooperative relationship with our most important neighbor, the ROK.

(4) At this meeting held among a small group of people, President Lee and I more than shared basic values. We also very much shared many convictions as politicians. It is very meaningful that such trust has been established between leaders. I am convinced that today we were able to take a valuable and major step forward in firmly promoting our future-oriented bilateral relations.

(5) It is vital that we forge a relationship in which frank exchanges of views can take place between Japan and the ROK. I am very pleased that we were able to agree on the activation of "shuttle diplomacy" at the leaders' level, and that President Lee expressed his intention to visit Japan at the earliest possible date.

(6) On this visit, I brought some of the archives (to be transferred based on the Agreement between Japan and the ROK on Archives). It is my hope that this will give further momentum to Japan-ROK cultural exchanges.

(7) We also agreed on the start of the second "Joint Research Project on a New Era of Japan-ROK Relations".

(8) Regarding the issue of North Korea, in the context of the two-party dialogues between the ROK and North Korea and between the United States (U.S.) and North Korea, we concurred to maintain close partnership between Japan and the ROK and among Japan, the ROK, and the U.S. in seeking concrete action from North Korea. Regarding the ROK's support and cooperation on the abduction issue, for which I also expressed my appreciation at our last meeting in New York, President Lee once again extended his support and cooperation. Japan would like to continue to cooperate with the ROK.

(9) On the economic front, in order to support the partnerships between Japanese and ROK companies in a third country and for our two countries to cooperate in basic rulemaking in the region, as well as to be able to agree on the resumption of Japan-ROK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations at the earliest possible date, we concurred to fully carry out the necessary working-level work for resuming the negotiations.

(10) Recognizing that the stable growth of the Japanese and ROK economies is critical for ensuring the stability of the financial market, we also agreed to expand the Japan-ROK currency swap to a total of US$70 billion. We are confident that this will give investors reassurance in the financial market and contribute to further market stabilization. More plainly stated, we agreed to work together as a team around the world to maintain "aggressiveness," to jointly respond to a variety of global economic woes, and to coordinate firmly and closely, both offensively and defensively. This is a major advancement.

(11) The Japan-ROK relations are at times unfortunately faced with difficult issues. Nevertheless, I would like to work with President Lee in striving to strengthen the foundation for bolstering the mid- to long-term (Japan-ROK) cooperative relationship so that such issues do not adversely affect Japan-ROK relations from a broad perspective. Based on today's meeting, I am convinced that I will be able to achieve this type of cooperation and partnership (with President Lee).

Q&As

(1) Question to President Lee from an ROK reporter

REPORTER:I would like to ask about the Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Recently, the United States (US) Congress ratified the ROK-US FTA, making the ROK the only country in the world to have free trade agreements with three major global economic zones - the United States, Europe, and ASEAN. For that reason, it has been pointed out that advancing negotiations on the Japan-ROK FTA, which are currently in a stalemate, is not a pressing issue for the ROK at the moment. Do you believe that the Japan-ROK FTA is something that must be promoted for the ROK to overcome its trade deficit? Which do you believe to be of higher priority, the Japan-ROK FTA or the ROK-China FTA?

PRESIDENT LEE MYUNG-BAK:This is a very specific question. ROK-Japan relations are important and we will not think about our relations in terms of having no reason to worry as long as other FTAs have been concluded, and in fact economic cooperation has advanced more smoothly compared to in the past. Recently, investment and purchases by Japanese companies in the ROK parts and materials industry has been increasing. We stand by the principle of realizing the Japan-ROK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) at an early stage if possible. However, FTAs must be always mutually beneficial for both partner countries, and it is conceivable that each industry has their own opinion. I believe that we must do our best to coordinate the process and move forward if possible.

(2) Question to Prime Minister Noda from a Japanese reporter

REPORTER:You mentioned that you brought the archives with you on your visit to the ROK, and that you were able to reconfirm that friendly, future-oriented relations are being constructed between the two countries. At the same time, however, the countries still face a difficult problem. President Lee did not bring up the issue in New York, but was there any interaction concerning the issue of comfort women today? How do you intend to address and overcome this issue in the future? Also, when specifically do you plan on restarting EPA negotiations?

PRIME MINISTER NODA:Concerning your first question, there was no discussion regarding comfort women in today's meeting. In the past, various difficult issues have arisen between Japan and the ROK, but as I just mentioned, I believe that I was able to build a personal relationship of trust with President Lee where we are able to engage in candid discussion from a broader perspective so as not to let these issues negatively impact relations between our two states.

Concerning the EPA, first, we will be starting working-level talks with the aim of restarting negotiations, but we have not placed a time limit on those talks. I hope that discussions advance so that negotiations restart and agreement is reached at the earliest possible stage.

(3) Question to Prime Minister Noda from an ROK reporter

REPORTER:As China's geopolitical influence continues to expand, relations between the ROK and Japan are growing closer and closer. As a result, it is becoming more necessary for relations between the two countries to be reaffirmed. However, this seems difficult because of certain historical issues between Japan and the ROK, such as the issue of comfort women. The people of the ROK believe that Japan must either make a very big decision or policy change with regard to these problems in order to create a new model for bilateral cooperation. What are your thoughts on this?

PRIME MINISTER NODA:Japan shares a number of basic values with the ROK, including democracy, a market economy, respect for human rights, and so on, and realizing peace and prosperity in East Asia is also a common interest for us. It is very important that Japan and the ROK utilize that common ground in working to form a close partnership. We have come a long way in the area of people-to-people exchanges, and I hope to continue to develop a future-oriented relationship with the ROK by further deepening and developing our economies and partnering on security issues through dialogue. In Japanese, to refer to a "win-win" mutually beneficial relationship, we use the term kyozon-kyoei, which means "coexistence and co-prosperity." Japan and the ROK must coexist and co-prosper. Japan is well aware of the importance of the ROK as a neighbor, and even if we do occasionally face problems I will remain adamantly aware of the need to overcome these issues from the broader picture by keeping in mind that we must coexist and co-prosper, and will work to resolve issues and cooperate with the ROK.

(4) Question to President Lee by a Japanese reporter

REPORTER:It is said that relations between Japan and the ROK have been better than ever since your inauguration as President. In the past, you have been invited to visit Japan as a state guest, but I hear that the ROK side has yet to provide a positive response. Do you personally intend to make a state visit? Both you and Prime Minister Noda referred to this earlier, but will you refrain from visiting Japan until there are prospects for resolving the difficulties between the two countries? What conditions must be met before you would agree to a state visit to Japan?

PRESIDENT LEE MYUNG-BAK:First, I would like to express my gratitude to the Government of Japan for their invitation. Concerning relations between Japan and the ROK, we have agreed on a form of shuttle diplomacy that would include frequent meetings including a state visit. I am also able to visit Japan if necessary. Concerning a state visit, it is a fact that there are unsettled matters between Japan and the ROK and I have just told Prime Minister Noda that this provides some difficulty. I expressed my anticipation for the Prime Minister to be more active than any other persons in responding to these difficult issues in order to see them resolved. That said, however, in terms of a state visit, it is not the case that I will go if these problems are solved, or that I will not go if these problems are not solved. I believe that through proper discussion between our two countries I will be able to visit Japan at a well-chosen time. I told Prime Minister Noda that I would be pleased to go.