President Lee Myung-bak met with Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone at Cheong Wa Dae for 40 minutes from 3:00 this afternoon. They exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including major bilateral and international matters, North Korea’s nuclear program and the global economic crisis.

In connection with the current economic problems, the President said, “Genuine cooperation often comes in difficult times. The two countries should try to turn the crisis into a momentum for lasting bilateral progress. We may well take joint approaches at the G-20 Summit, too.”

He continued, “Binational cooperation is conducive to the prosperity of the world, not to mention progress in bilateral relations. It is significant that the two countries have decided to closely coordinate their support for reconstruction in Afghanistan and for dispatching destroyers to Somali waters.”

The Korean President told the Japanese Minister that the two countries need to step up cooperation in their North Korea policies and at the Six-Party Talks in Beijing. He added that coordination with Washington is very important, too. Minister Nakasone said, “Japan appreciates Korea’s support on the issue of Japanese citizens kidnapped to the North.” He asked for Korea’s continuing cooperation on this matter.

Nakasone thanked President Lee for the hospitality shown to Prime Minister Taro Aso when he visited Seoul last month. The Japanese Minister extended to President Lee his government’s invitation to visit Japan during the year. The Korean leader replied that he hopes to make a return visit at a mutually convenient time.