President Roh to Visit Japan in Second Half of This Year

President Roh to Visit Japan in Second Half of This Year. July. 22, 2004 22:06. by Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com.

Regarding Korea and Japan’s view on shared history, Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said on July 22, “The issue will move in the right direction with the resolve of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.”

Cheong Wa Dae Spokesperson Kim Jong-min cited that President Roh said as much during his walk with his Japanese counterpart today at the Shilla Hotel of Seogwipo, Jeju Island.

President Roh pointed out, “Children of Korea and Japan are learning the same historic facts with different viewpoints. It might be difficult to agree on what is historically true, but efforts should be made to reach a consensus on the direction of our history education in the interest of our future.”

“Though Japan has resolved all wrinkles in its relations with the U.S., does it still not have issues to resolve in northeast Asia (in its relations with Korea and China)? I hope the prime minister will resolve these issues during his tenure,” added President Roh.

At this, Prime Minister Koizumi refrained from making specific comments, only responding, “More student exchanges are needed between the two nations.”

The two heads of state completed their two-day summit schedule, and Prime Minister Koizumi returned to Japan. During the summit, the two leaders agreed to hold regular meetings of “practical shuttle diplomacy” more than twice a year and to hold a summit meeting in the second half of this year, with President Roh visiting Japan at a tourist destination rather than its capital, Tokyo.