Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

Aso, Lee meet for co-op on DPRK nuke threat

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-28 17:41

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and visiting South Korean president Lee Myung Bak met here Sunday, seeking closer cooperation in addressing the nuclear threat from Pyongyang and reaffirming closer bilateral ties.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso at the premier's official residence in Tokyo June 28, 2009. [Agencies]

Lee arrived in Tokyo in the morning, his fourth visit to Japan as president and part of the so-called "shuttle diplomacy" between the two East Asian neighbors.

Related readings:  Obama,Lee warn DPRK over N-plan  DPRK vows nuke attack if provoked by US  Japan's Aso stumbles in local poll  Report: DPRK leader puts son as head of spy agency  China urges caution on DPRK ship checks

Lee's visit came as the international community aimed to punish Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) after its second underground nuclear test in May. The two leaders are expected to reaffirm the importance of bilateral and international cooperation to implement a new UN Security Council resolution on Pyongyang.

They are also expected to discuss ways to improve bilateral economic relations, as well as on the resumption of talks on a free trade agreement.

They are also likely to touch on international issues such as cooperation on antipiracy efforts off the coast of Somalia and economic assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The relationship between the two countries warmed recently after souring largely under former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi due to his repeated visits to Tokyo's war-related Yasukuni Shrine.