Roh Wants to Boost Seoul-Tokyo Relations
2003-02-24
President-elect Roh Moo-hyun spoke with new Japanese ambassador to Seoul, Toshiyuki Takano, by telephone over the weekend, asking for Japan's contribution to promoting bilateral relations and bringing a peaceful end to the North Korean nuclear issue, his spokesman said.
Roh also told the Japanese diplomat he hopes to have sincere discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi about the bilateral relationship and the nuclear issue when they hold summit talks this week, spokesman Lee Nak-yon said.
Koizumi will visit Seoul to attend Roh's presidential inauguration tomorrow.
Takano stressed the need for South Korea, Japan and the United States to work closely to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully, the spokesman said.
After winning the Dec. 19 election, Roh met U.S., Chinese and Russian ambassadors in person, but the recently appointed Japanese ambassador had to be contacted by telephone because of Roh's tight schedule, sources said.
Source : www.korea.net
