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ROK, Japan Reaffirm Cooperation on NK Nukes

2003-03-31

Defense Minister Cho Young-kil and his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba have reaffirmed the need for the two governments to closely cooperate on resolving the North Korean nuclear row in a peaceful way.

In the first meeting of defense chiefs Saturday since President Roh Moo-hyun took office, Cho explained to Ishiba _ who arrived here Friday for a three-day visit _ the outline of the new government's North Korea policy, which attaches much importance on regional cooperation, Defense Ministry officials said.

Ishiba relayed Tokyo's worries on Pyongyang's recent military ventures, which included the test-firings of ground-to-ship missiles over the East Sea Feb. 24 and March 10, and reiterated Japan's belief that close cooperation with South Korea on the North Korean issue is of foremost importance.

The Japanese Defense Agency chief also elaborated on the need for closer bilateral cooperation in assisting in the U.S.-led war against Iraq and the global campaign against terrorism, and explained that Japan is instituting changes in relevant laws to better cope with the new security situation.

The two defense chiefs concurred on the need to further promote military confidence by conducting more exchange programs. They agreed to hold the third joint naval search drill as well as football matches and music festivals this year.

The South Korean defense minister promised to pay a return visit to Japan next year.

Earlier Saturday, when Ishiba paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Goh Kun, the Japanese official said negative attitudes toward North Korea have seen a rise in Japan recently due to North Korea's recent military ventures as well as its admission last year to having kidnapped Japanese nationals.

Ishiba also visited the national cemetery in western Seoul Saturday and later went to the western part of the Demilitarized Zone area. He left Seoul on Sunday.

Korea and Japan have held annual talks between their defense ministers on a regular basis since 1994, with the exception of 2001, when conflict over Japanese history textbooks that gloss over wartime crimes in Korea strained bilateral ties.

Source : www.korea.net