Korea, Japan to discuss residents¡¯ voting rights

Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister Lee Joung-Binn will meet three chief secretaries of the Japanese ruling camp, including Hiromu Nonaka of the Liberal Democratic Party, during his scheduled visit to Tokyo Nov. 6-7. The two sides will discuss the question of giving Korean residents in Japan the right to participate in local elections.

In light of the fact that these Japanese politicians showed a favorable attitude toward related legislation for Koreans' political participation, the Seoul government expects progress in this issue during Minister Lee's Japan visit, ministry officials said.

Minister Lee also intends to discuss the South Korean proposal to increase flights between Seoul and Tokyo from the present 77. The minister will asked the Japanese government to increase Seoul-Tokyo flights on the second airstrip of Tokyo¡¯s Narita International Airport, for which construction will be completed in May 2002, and operate shuttle flights between Seoul and Tokyo¡¯s Haneda airport, it was disclosed.