(* This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura

Date: Thursday, December 20, 2007, 9:37 a.m.
Place: In front of the Minister's Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Presidential Election in the Republic of Korea (ROK)
FY2008 Initial Budget and FY2007 Supplementary Budget

1. Presidential Election in the Republic of Korea

Minister:
Mr. Lee Myung Bak has won the presidential elections in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and I would like to extend to him my heartfelt congratulations. I look forward to seeing the ROK continue to develop under the leadership of the new president.

The ROK is an important neighbor for Japan with whom we share such basic values as freedom, democracy, basic human rights and market economy. Moreover, we have common concerns such as North Korean issues. In his public pledges Mr. Lee Myung Bak has stated that he intends to place importance on relations with Japan together with ROK-United States relations. As well, we intend to closely consult with the ROK and build future-oriented Japan-ROK relations.

Question:
Japan-ROK relations have a tendency for there to be a breakdown in summit diplomacy and for sometime now the relations have been cold. There are media reports that Prime Minister Fukuda may attend the inauguration ceremony for Mr. Lee Myung Bak. How do you plan to proceed with Japan-ROK diplomacy for the future?

Minister:
A decision has not yet been taken as to who will attend the inauguration ceremony and we have not yet begun concrete consideration about that. However, as I stated just now, the ROK is an important neighbor of Japan. Taking it into consideration that it would be good for a person of importance to attend from Japan, in the future we will consider specifically who should attend the ceremony.

Question:
The current administration of President Roh Moo Hyun has not been especially proactive and has taken a guarded approach to issues such as the abduction of ROK nationals by North Korea. In terms of measures focused on North Korea, what kind of cooperation do you think will take place with the ROK going forward?

Minister:
As a candidate, in his public pledges Mr. Lee Myung Bak was neither proactive nor passive concerning the abductions issue. As such, for our part in Japan, we will do everything we can to call on him to understand and cooperate with Japan in its position on the abduction issue.

Question:
There are some reports that Mr. Lee Myung Bak will be a bit more stern in his position vis-a-vis North Korea. On the other hand, over all society in the ROK seems to be strengthening its feeling of closeness to North Korea. Some people take the view that even though the president will change, the positions taken by the ROK vis-à-vis North Korea will not change. On the part of the Government of Japan what type of measures do you intend to take to urge the ROK?

Minister:
The ROK will be finalizing its concrete policies towards the inauguration ceremony on 25 February 2008. However, considering that coordination between Japan and the ROK on North Korean issues is extremely important, Japan intends to call on the ROK at diverse levels.

Question:
Do you intend to visit the ROK anytime in the near future?

Minister:
We have not initiated any concrete consideration of that as of now.

2. FY2008 Initial Budget and FY2007 Supplementary Budget

(See Japanese version)

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