President Roh Summit with Prime Minister Koizumi on June 7

President Roh Moo-hyun will travel to Japan for a four-day visit on June 6 for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the North Korean nuclear weapons program and other bilateral issues, presidential spokesman Yoon Tae-Young said Friday.

Roh, along with first lady Kwon Yang-sook, is scheduled to meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito and attend a banquet hosted by the emperor and Empress Michiko on June 6.

Roh will appear on a Japanese TV program June 8 to discuss the two nations` ties with the Japanese public and is expected to deliver a speech before lawmakers in the Lower House of the Japanese Diet on future relations between South Korea and Japan.

"The visit is aimed at solidifying a future-oriented friendship with Japan based on a clear understanding of our history and enhancing bilateral cooperation to solve the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully," Yoon Tai-young, presidential spokesman, said.

The talks with Koizumi, scheduled for June 7, will also deal with investment, a free trade agreement and a visa waiver treaty between the two countries, he said.

Unlike the President’s visit to the US, lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties will accompany him during his state visit to Japan.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com