Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, in his summit meeting with the President on Saturday (May 29), said Japan will take a leading role in international coordination and offer its full support for South Korea’s position regarding the sinking of the Cheonan ship when addressed at the UN Security Council.
 

During the one‐on‐one discussion that lasted for about 90 minutes at Lotte Hotel on Korea’s Jeju‐do Island the Japanese Prime Minister complimented the President on his objective and cool‐headed leadership over the Cheonan incident, according to Cheong Wa Dae chief PR spokesperson Lee Dong‐kwan.
 

The President in turn thanked his Japanese counterpart, saying that Japan has shown the strongest support in regards to South Korea’s handling of the tragic sinking as a true neighbor and a friend. The President said he hoped this would be an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their cooperation in many areas, including the economy.
 

Prime Minister Hatoyama again expressed his condolences for the loss of 46 sailors who went down with the South Korean naval corvette Cheonan in late March and said strengthening trust between South Korea and Japan in Asia would also contribute to peace and conjoint prosperity in the world.
 

On the matter of the resumption of Korea‐Japan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks, The President said he believes that such an arrangement would only add to the development of both countries in the long run and suggested upgrading the working‐level talks to accelerate the negotiations.
 

Hatoyama answered that Japan will reflect on the history of the past of 100 years and that concluding an FTA is important. The year 2010 signals the 100th anniversary of Japan’s forced annexation of Korea in 1910. Korea was liberated in 1945.
 

The President mentioned the withdrawal of many Korean corporations from Japan over the past few years including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Hyundai Motors, pointing out Japan’s non‐tariff barrier as a problem. The Japanese premier responded that Japan will make active efforts to resolve such matters.
 

All in all Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Lee Dong‐kwan said the two leaders agreed to put the past behind them and work together for future achievement.