Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They
AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Japan, SKorea vow to lead world economic recovery
By JAESOON CHANG,Associated Press Writer AP - 1 hour 48 minutes ago
SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea and Japan must lead Asia in driving the world's economic recovery and should work together to rid North Korea of nuclear weapons, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said Monday.
Aso's two-day trip to Seoul is part of a new effort by both North Asian countries to improve their ties. While they are key economic partners, diplomatic relations between the two countries have often strained over Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of Korea.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak praised Japan for agreeing in December to a currency swap deal of up to $30 billion that helped reduce fears that South Korea could face a foreign exchange crisis.
"President Lee agreed with my view that Asia should be the growth center of the world and play a big role in the global economic recovery," Aso told reporters.
Both agreed on the need to work closely with President-elect Barack Obama on the North Korean nuclear issue, Aso said. Lee said they must continue to cooperate to realize a nuclear-free North Korea.
Relations between both North Asian powers and Pyongyang are tense.
Japan and North Korea have tussled over the North's 1970s and 1980s kidnapping of Japanese nationals. Pyongyang acknowledged in 2002 that it abducted 13 Japanese and allowed five to return home, saying the remaining eight had died. But Tokyo has demanded proof of their deaths and an investigation into other suspected kidnappings.
Lee, who came to power on promises he would take a tougher stance on North Korea, said he would back Japan's bid to press for a resolution, Aso said.
The meeting was part of Lee's election promises to improve ties with Japan.
South Koreans typically say Japan is geographically close but emotionally distant from the neighboring nation. Lee altered that popular phrase to say Japan is "close by _ as well as close" emotionally to South Korea.
Since taking office 11 months ago, Lee has said he would not demand a new apology from Japan for its colonial rule and has pushed for improved ties with Tokyo.
But Lee's diplomatic overtures toward Japan took a hit in July when Tokyo announced it would recommend that a government teaching manual include Japan's claim to uninhabited islets claimed by both countries.
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said Monday that Seoul maintains its position that the islets belong to South Korea but he believes the two countries will be able to respect one another's position as long as they focus on "future-oriented" relations.
Trade between the two countries reached $82.6 billion in 2007. They also have taken steps toward restarting free trade talks, which ground to a halt in late 2004 over trade barriers on agricultural goods.
___
Associated Press writer Kelly Olsen contributed to this report.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Indonesia says about 250 missing in ferry sinkingReuters - 34 minutes ago
Almost 250 feared dead in Indonesia ferry disasterAFP - 37 minutes ago
China steps up food inspections ahead of Spring FestivalAFP - 52 minutes ago
Floods in Fiji kill 8; thousands seek shelterAP - 1 hour 17 minutes ago
Pakistani troops pound militants in northwest mountainsReuters - 1 hour 21 minutes ago
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Britain's Prince Harry apologises for racist language
Israeli troops push deeper into Gaza's main city
Is Tintin gay? Cartoon birthday boy dogged by rumours
Swiss bank set to announce record loss: report
Kate Winslet wins Golden Globe supporting actress
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular