Go to contents

Korea-Japan FTA High on Agenda: Fukuda

Posted February. 23, 2008 05:30,   

한국어

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said yesterday that, “The Japanese government will take seriously President-elect Lee Myung-bak’s remarks focusing on progressive Korea-Japan relations rather than to demand an apology or atonement from Japan.” He added that he would do his best to build a sound and strong bilateral relationship down the road.

Fukuda had an interview with Korean correspondents in his official residence. The Japanese prime minister will attend the inauguration of President-elect Lee Myung-bak in Feb. 25.

“Seoul and Tokyo should make a lot of efforts to bring about cooperation and to contribute to the Asian region. In order to establish mature bilateral relations between the two countries, Japan needs Korea’s understanding and cooperation, as much as we need to make our own efforts,” said the Japanese prime minister. In the areas that Korea and Japan need to work together, Fukuda cited the economy, environment, public sanitation, and health.

When asked about his intentions regarding a specific and more clear apology for Japanese wartime atrocities than the statement made by former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama (so-called Murayama statement in August 1995), Fukuda said, “I call on the understanding and consent from Koreans. They would agree that what is important is to build a progressive, healthy relationship. Not lip-service, but actions.”

On North Korea, Fukuda said, “I would like to resolve North Korean issues through patient dialogue and to fulfill the “Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration” agreed by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il at the first Japan-North Korea summit meeting in 2002.”

In the declaration, both leaders confirmed that they would normalize relations through various efforts including Japan’s apology for causing indescribable harm and suffering to the people of Korea during its colonial rule, economic cooperation, ending policies that undermine the security of the other country, and complying with international agreements to resolve the nuclear weapons programs on the Korean Peninsula.

He expressed hope for a summit talk with President-elect Lee, saying, “Korea and Japan have many common areas that need to be developed in the future, to include economic partnership. I would like to resume talks on a Korea-Japan Free Trade Agreement as soon as possible.” The Japanese media also reported yesterday that Prime Minister Fukuda may agree to resume free trade talks when he meets with Lee on Feb. 25.

On the Japanese government’s plan to invite President-elect Lee to the G8 summit in July in Toyako, Hokkaido, Fukuda confirmed that Lee has been invited, saying, “although an official announcement has yet to be made, I confirm Lee’s inclusion on the invitation list.” He added, “I would like to talk with President-elect Lee over a number of issues such as global economy, mutual cooperation for Asian environment issue, development in Africa, and the nuclear non-proliferation issue.”

Meanwhile, regarding the proposal of Ichiro Ozawa, the leader of Japan’s main opposition Democratic Party, to allow Korean-Japanese residents to vote in elections, Fukuda said, “More time is required since it is a matter involving fundamental state institutions.”



sya@donga.com