Roh`s First Day in Japan Stirs up Controversy over "Diplomatic Snafu"

President Roh Moo-hyun on his four-day visit to Japan said Friday, "South Korea and Japan should open a new era of future-oriented bilateral relations as responsible and exemplary members of the international community. Therefore, the leaders of the two nations should double efforts to achieve that goal."

The President delivered a speech at a banquet held Friday evening in honor of his state visit to Japan by Japanese Emperor Akihito and emphasized that "South Korea and Japan have developed a closer relationship by co-hosting the 2002 World Cup, which I believe became a precious asset for both nations. It is time for us to turn the passion and vitality shown during the prestigious international sporting event into a powerful energy to develop a future-oriented bilateral relationship."

The Japanese Emperor seemed to avoid a direct mention of the issue of their past history by saying, "The amicable bilateral relationship that the two nations have enjoyed is due to a lot of effort on both sides. Taking this historical lesson into account, the two nations should make efforts to uncover the truth. Through this, the two nations will be able to lay a firm foundation for a more sturdy bilateral relationship in the future."

President Roh is expected to hold summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on bilateral issues in the morning of June 7 and issue a joint statement, wrapping up the summit.

The leaders of the two nations are expected to reaffirm their fundamental positions on the North Korean nuclear threat peacefully and urge the North not to take any further provocative measures on the matter.

In addition, it has been reported that the joint statement would contain issues beginning with the earlier consultative meeting between the two governments to push ahead with a bilateral Free Trade Agreement; signing an agreement allowing Koreans to visit Japan without visas by 2005 when the two nations mark the 40th anniversary of establishing bilateral ties; and addressing the issue regarding abducted Japanese people by North Korean agents.

Presidential advisor for foreign policy Ban Ki-moon said that the President would raise the topic of Japan`s war contingency legislation on Saturday during his summit with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and express concern or interest by neighboring countries in the set of bills giving Japan greater flexibility in the use of its military.

Prior to his departure to Japan, the President and First Lady Kwan Yang-sook paid a visit to the National Cemetery in Dongjak-dong, southern Seoul in the morning of Friday where a ceremony for the 48th anniversary of Memorial Day was held. He called on the public to march towards a future by recognizing the past history and taking lessons from it, saying that Koreans should not be bound by the shackles of the past during the ceremony.

"Cooperation with Japan is very important to a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and the progress of inter-Korean relations," he said.

The President and the First Lady arrived at Tokyo`s Haneda Airport Friday afternoon on a four-day state visit.

Jeong-Hun Kim Young-Hae Choi jnghn@donga.com yhchoi65@donga.com