">Forum Views () 
">Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
S Korea, Japan say N Korea should return to talks  
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
  
 
 
  
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:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
S Korea, Japan say N Korea should return to talks
 
 
 
 
 
 
 By JAY ALABASTER,Associated Press Writer AP - Monday, June 29
TOKYO - The leaders of South Korea and Japan pledged Sunday to work together to bring North Korea back to the table for negotiations aimed at persuading the isolated regime to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
 
  
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak spent the day in Tokyo for meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso _ a month after Pyongyang's underground nuclear test ratcheted up tensions in the region.
The leaders, who spoke to reporters at Aso's residence, said they also discussed how to foster stronger economic cooperation. Aso said initial negotiations aimed at eventually forming a free trade agreement would be held on July 1.
"We need to demonstrate that North Korea has nothing to gain by conducting nuclear tests and missile launches," said Lee.
The North has intensified its rhetoric against the two countries and the U.S. in recent weeks, condemning the sanctions passed to punish Pyongyang for the nuclear test and raising concerns it will soon test-fire short- or mid-range missiles.
The visit is part of efforts by the Asian neighbors to improve their relationship, which has been troubled since Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of Korea. A set of tiny islands in the Sea of Japan that both claim has long been a source of friction, and South Korea has protested when Tokyo approves textbooks Seoul feels justify wartime transgressions.
But they have strong economic ties and share close alliances with the U.S., which maintains a large military presence in both countries.
Previous Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended Lee's inauguration last year, after the South Korean made campaign promises to improve ties with Japan.
This is Lee's fourth visit to Japan as president. Aso, who visited Seoul in January, is expected to go again this year.
Aso and Lee said they stand united in supporting a return to the six-party talks which aimed to give North Korea economic aid and other concessions in exchange for abandoning its nuclear program. The talks also involve China, the U.S. and Russia.
The talks started in 2003 and made halting progress until April, when North Korea announced it would no longer participate.
Lee said it was necessary for the five negotiating parties to work together and exchange information on how to bring the North back to the bargaining table.
But the North has recently ramped up its strident , reiterating Sunday that it would bolster its nuclear arsenal as it accused the U.S. of plotting to launch a nuclear strike in a commentary carried by the state news agency.
Robert Dujarric, who directs the Japanese Studies program at Temple University's Tokyo campus, said the joint stance by Japan and South Korea on the North Korean issue was expected, as it echoes what they have said in the past and the countries are largely following the lead of the U.S. in negotiations.
He added that closer economic ties between the north Asian powers, especially given the current downturn, make sense, especially for Seoul.
"South Korea built its economy on the Japanese model, so it faces exactly the same challenges," he said.
Even before the financial downturn, Japan and South Korea had gradually been increasing their economic ties.
After previous free trade negotiations broke down in 2004 over trade barriers on agricultural and fishing products, they agreed to hold yearly meetings between their finance ministers. In December, Japan agreed to a currency swap deal of up to $30 billion with South Korea to help ease fears of a foreign exchange crisis there.
___
Associated Press writer Hyung-jin Kim contributed to this report from Seoul.
 
 
 
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
 
 
     
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
 
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Indian gay rights march calls to legalize gay sexAP - 2 hours 1 minute ago
Nine govt troops killed in southern PhilippinesAFP - 2 hours 45 minutes ago
Afghan minister says drug strategy is 'perfect'AP - 2 hours 49 minutes ago
Indonesia confirms new swine flu cases: ministerAFP - Monday, June 29
Series of quakes shake Taipei buildingsAFP - Monday, June 29
 
 
 
 
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
 
 
 
 
 
 Viewed
 
 
 
 
Saturn moon may harbour life-giving ocean: study
 
 
Chubby people live longest: Japan study
 
 
Opium-eating wallabies get high, make crop circles
 
 
Jackson feared dying like Elvis: Lisa Marie Presley
 
 
Egyptian tycoon to hang for Lebanese diva murder
 
 
View Complete List »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy 
- Terms of Service 
- Community 
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy 
- Help
        
    
   
 
Other News on Sunday, 28 June 2009 Porsche rejects VW 'ultimatum' for merger plan  
Spy games play out at Russian consulate in San Francisco  
Iraqi premier: ready to take over security from US  
Loyalist paramilitaries give up arms in N.Ireland  
Hariri named Lebanon PM  
Glastonbury pays tribute to Michael Jackson  
Afghan unrest kills 11: officials  
Sabbath parking fuels Jerusalem religious tensions
| International
|  
Israel deflects calls for settlement freeze  
Turkey passes law limiting military courts  
Saad Hariri named Lebanese prime minister  
UN envoy ends two-day visit to Myanmar  
Immigrant law loopholes threaten SF mayor's bid  
Taliban claim responsibility for Kashmir attack  
Calif. narcotics team at risk in budget crisis  
Thailand reports first 2 swine flu-related deaths  
Hazardous freight moved by rail  
Don't leave me 'dying in desert' Thaksin tells Thai rally  
NKorea threatens to shoot down Japanese spy planes  
Former law student gets life in PlayStation murder  
Supporters of former prime minister rally in Bangkok  
Ill. derailment revives hazardous cargo debate  
Did toxic chemical in Iraq cause GIs' illnesses?  
Cambodia PM meets Thai minister on border dispute  
White House Weighs Options Over Executive Order On Long-Term Detention  
Vermont to California, new laws take effect July 1  
New laws prod police, protect kids, push tax cuts  
Replica of ancient Philippine boat to sail SE Asia  
U.S. Swine Flu Cases Reach 1 Million As 127 People Die  
Filipino inmates in `Thriller' video stage tribute  
No dropouts from this Camden, NJ, high school  
Where's your governor? A state-by-state glance  
Cambodia and Thailand meet as temple tensions simmer  
Jackson also left legacy as cultural phenomenon  
Jackson family anger mounts, may seek fresh autopsy  
Chou, Chan sweep top prizes at Chinese Grammys  
Networks continue Michael Jackson tributes  
Vigil planned for Michael Jackson at Motown studio  
Jackson surging to top of British album charts  
Pop king Jackson was content to remain fan of film  
Ukraine president's party wants to leave coalition  
Iran's opposition leader rejects partial recount  
Michael Jackson tops charts, memorabilia sales surge  
UNESCO adds more European sites to heritage list  
South Korea getting U.S. missiles to boost defences: report
| International
|  
'Hacktivists' take up Iran fight as streets quiet  
US, Russia in dispute over computer attacks: report  
Hundreds protest in France to defend illegal immigrants  
Mid-term elections seen weakening Argentine leader
| International
|  
GM, US near agreement on legal claims: report  
Iran deadlock drags on as Mousavi rejects part recount  
NATO, Russia resume cooperation but divided over Georgia  
Times Co. seeking to sell second paper with Globe  
Financial system 'not out of woods yet': global regulator  
Police question Australian opposition leader over email
| International
|  
NATO-Russia Council 'up and running' again: Scheffer  
Mousavi rejects partial Iran vote recount  
Pakistani jets hit militant compounds in Waziristan
| International
|  
Northern Ireland's paramilitaries dump arsenal
| International
|  
Obama pushes Senate to act on climate measure  
S. Korea getting U.S. missiles to boost defences  
Paralyzed Vt. GI gets star-spangled welcome home  
SKorean president lands in Tokyo for day of talks  
Journalists caught up in Nepal's power struggle  
Japan, SKorea summit to focus on NKorea  
Spokeswoman: Jackson cardiologist not a suspect  
12 China officials jailed for deadly landslide  
Chavez to US general: You're the threat, not us  
Malaysia, Indonesia spat on maid dispute  
South Korea's swine flu tally nears 200  
Chinese tennis players will never give up, says Li  
Police: NYC day care was drug haven  
Jackson family statement on death of pop star  
I'm still good enough, says Aussie tennis #1 Hewitt  
Eason Chan, Jay Chou win Mandarin pop music awards  
Ky. pastor welcomes guns, their owners to church  
NFL asks for court ruling on merchandise case  
Under-bite helps Pabst become World's Ugliest Dog  
Chief Justice: High court not setting school rules  
RPT-N.Korea 2008 GDP growth hits 3-yr high on weather, aid  
China's ships idle but Shanghai port charges ahead  
Queues build for India's popular Nano car  
Indonesia's traffic nightmare goes from bad to worse  
Eurozone rates on hold: analysts  
Court fight over Jackson's children looms  
FACTBOX-Huge divide between rival Koreas  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Doctor queried in Michael Jackson death, 2nd autopsy held
| Entertainment
|  
S.Korea household not to raise spending in H2 -survey  
Michael Jackson set to make chart history, again  
Doctor queried in Michael Jackson death, 2nd autopsy held  
Michael Jackson set to make chart history, again
| Entertainment
|  
Prescription drugs in spotlight after Jackson death  
Transformers sequel tramples on box office
| Entertainment
|  
Private funeral plans announced for Farrah Fawcett  
"Transformers" sequel tramples on box office  
Entertainers ready Jackson tributes for BET Awards  
Questions swirl around doctor in Jackson's death  
Iran sparks new row with Britain over election
| International
|  
Life after U.S. pullout brings worries for Iraqis  
Jaguar, Land Rover enter Indian market  
Troops detain Honduras president: government
| International
|  
Life after U.S. pullout brings worries for Iraqis
| International
|  
Israel's Barak denies Gaza captive deal  
Barak open on Israel settlement freeze before U.S. trip
| International
|  
Iraq lessons learned, U.S. Marines turn to Afghanistan
| International
|  
Mid-term elections seen weakening Argentine leader
| International
|  
West skeptical on Russian security plan for Europe
| International
|  
Albania votes, rivals trade accusations of cheating
| International
|  
Winegrowers see a future in green  
Insurgents in restive southern Thailand kill 1  
Al-Qaida-linked gunmen kill 7 Filipino police  
Israel to offer three-month settlement freeze: report  
Pakistan offers reward for Taliban chief  
N.Korea vows to bolster nuclear deterrence against US  
Pakistani forces kill 11 Taliban militants  
GM to take on future product liability claims  
3 killed in pizzeria shooting outside Los Angeles  
Bangladeshi protesters clash with police; 1 killed  
Obama pushes Senate to act on climate measure  
S Korea, Japan say N Korea should return to talks  
India confirms 9 new cases of swine flu  
India to review laws banning homosexuality: report  
50,000 bangladesh garment workers in wage protest  
NKorea economy grows but remains in doldrums  
Optimism grows among Japanese executives  
SKorean bank: NKorea's economy grows in 2008  
Trouble brewing for Sri Lanka tea farmers  
Top designers try a revamp of Islamic abaya  
Spokeswoman: doctor not suspect in Jackson death  
Fashion pioneer Vionnet's work on show for 1st time  
A new high tech edge to Poland's Jewish heritage  
Jewish cantors to perform in Warsaw opera house
| Entertainment
|  
Cinema returns to war-weary West Bank town  
Winegrowers see a future in green  
China Limits Access To Online Medical Info, Research On Sexual Subjects  
Michael Jackson's Death Overwhelms Internet  
Rumors Of Jeff Goldblum's Death "Completely Untrue"  
Paris Hilton Hired Team Of Experts To Avoid Getting Arrested In Dubai For Wearing Revealing Outfits  
Zac Efron And Breckin Meyer Spoof Perez Hilton's Video Tirade  
Drew Barrymore Hounded By Squirrels At LA Home  
Former British PM Tony Blair Promised Queen Elizabeth He Would Not Watch "The Queen" Movie  
Johnny Depp Doesn't Think He's A Celebrity  
Stone Age Flute Discovered In Germany Is Oldest Instrument Found  
Utility Crew Digs Up Human Remains Near Cemeteries  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights