Japan Premier Arrives in Seoul for 3-Day Visit
Japan’s prime minister began a three-day visit to South Korea on Thursday that Seoul officials said was expected to focus on trade, investment and the upcoming World Cup soccer tournament.
Junichiro Koizumi, accompanied by dozens of aides, landed at a military airport outside Seoul aboard a special airplane and began his day by laying a wreath at the National Cemetery.
“With about two months to the World Cup, we hope that the visit will help foster a future-oriented relationship between the two countries,” said Park Sun Sook, South Korean President Kim Dae Jung’s chief spokesman.
Koizumi and Kim will meet today to discuss topics that will include North Korea, Seoul officials said. The leaders will also sign a treaty aimed at encouraging investment in each other’s country.
Despite deep-rooted historical animosities, Japan and South Korea are close economic partners.
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