Korea, Japan to Handle NK Provocation Coolheadedly

Park Seon-sook, presidential spokesperson said that South Korean President Kim and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi agreed in their summit meeting on the 1st that they will coolheadedly respond to the provocative act of North Korea in order to keep the situation from getting out of control.

In the summit talks held in the Prime Minister`s residence in Tokyo, Japan, President Kim explained that the North Korea`s attack in the West Sea was a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement and the government urged the North to make an apology, punish those who carried out the provocation and promise to prevent such incident from recurring. Prime Minister Koizumi expressed strong support for South Korea`s position.

President Kim also said that despite the inter-Korean naval clash, he would continue his engagement policy toward North Korea, and Prime Minister Koizumi said he strongly support Kim`s policy of engaging the North. Koizumi said that Japan would exert its effort to normalize ties with North Korea and address the issue of the Japanese abducted by North Korean spies.

The two leaders agreed to hold the 3rd ministerial meeting that has been suspended since the Japanese government approved a distorted history textbook last year. Japanese Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko will visit Korea earlier than scheduled and the 4th economic council meeting will also be held on July 16 in Tokyo, Japan.

They also agreed to officially launch the 1st meeting of representatives of industry, government and universities for establishing a free trade agreement between the two countries from July 9 to 10. Negotiations for a social security agreement between the two countries will begin within the year.

They issued a `joint message toward the future` after the summit. In the message, they said, "The successful hosting of the World Cup has served as a valuable asset in further developing the relations between the two countries. They also promised that they would put together their wisdom for further development of the ties between Korea and Japan.

President Kim will return to Korea after attending the luncheon meeting with Japanese Emperor Akihito on the 2nd. He is expected to announce his view on the West Sea battle in a statement upon arrival.

Chol-Hi Lee klimt@donga.com