politics

Noda, S Korea's Lee discuss N Korea, bilateral relations

10 Comments

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak agreed to work closely together and with the United States on North Korean issues, during their meeting at the United Nations on Wednesday.

The two leaders were meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Yonhap news agency quoted Lee as telling Noda: "It is necessary for our two countries as well as the United States to unite strength for security in Northeast Asia. It is important for South Korea, the U.S. and Japan to cooperate closely and share information, and this is the way to get North Korea to come out to the international community."

Noda asked for Seoul's cooperation on the issue of North Korea's abduction of Japanese nationals, as well free trade discussions between the two countries, Yonhap reported.

The two leaders did not discuss the thorny history and territorial issues.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

10 Comments
Login to comment

sfjp330, government did not send the clowns. As for the 50 million, suppose Japan should send it back. It makes not much difference and yet another club to be used against Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Correction above: It makes NO sense with the current difficulty in their own country.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

CityViewSep. 24, 2011 - 05:52AM JST. sfjp, you are going backwards; Japan won't apologize and Korea/China makes new accusations ... have we heard this before?

Maybe Japan is going backwards. What are the priorties for J-goverment? Last month Japan send three lawmakers try to visit the resort island of Dokdo that is claimed by Korea and Japan. It makes sense with the current difficulty in their own country. And why is it so important now for Japan to create a conflict to a South Koreans that donated over $50 million dollars to the Japan relief? These Japanese lawmakers don't give a damm about the countless hours these Koreans work to raise millions for the Japan relief and for better relations. Japan is saying stick it. If there is a conflict, and we know there are, why don't these lawmakers go through proper channels for discussion?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sfjp330, our words are never "sincere" enough and Korea will always come up with new problems. I do not see how to make South Korea happy. Well wasted enough time with these posts.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sfjp, you are going backwards; Japan won't apologize and Korea/China makes new accusations ... have we heard this before? It would be better for both parts if they just forgot about each other for a while - it is going nowhere and there are current problems that need solving. The countries can just do the capitalist business with each other as usual and stop the bitching. If Korea does not care about 1950-53, who cares about 1910-45? Murder is murder and people are people.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In order for Japan to improve relations with SK, the J-goverment need to have genuine reflection and sincere apology for Japan's past colonial rule. Japan needs to make every efforts to promote better regional co-operation and understanding, but this is Japan, it won't happen. The South Korea wants to continue to promote friendly ties with Japan and they know that relations are very fragile in this region and historical disputes are the toughest challenge they face. Japan and Korea need to talk more about the need for economic integration and co-operation, but the old Japanese colonial rule of Korean Peninsula from 1910-45 continues to haunt the present and I doubt any progress will be made. Regardless, Noda will probably be out of the office in one year, and J-goverment has to repeat again with new PM of broken promises.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I see. Thanks.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Konsta, the 3 "lawmakers" went to South Korea to cause political trouble and make a circus. I call them clowns because it was a silly thing for them to do and a reelection stunt. It got more silly since South Korea blamed the entire government of Japan for their attempted show. Guess the government in the ROK can control their lawmakers. Anyhow I watched them on TV speaking from the airport and they seemed like clowns to me.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why call them clowns? (genuine interest, no irony intended.)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan sent in the clowns, first thing a circus does when things go wrong. What more can Japan do to smooth relations? Pity they did not get into the ring it would of been quite a show.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites