Press Conference by the Press Secretary December 19, 1997

1. Presidential Election in the Republic of Korea
2. Further Republic of Korea issues

1. Presidential election in the Republic of Korea

   Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nobuaki Tanaka: First of all, I would like to say a few words about the election of Mr. Kim Dae Jung in the Republic of Korea. The Government of Japan would like to extend its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Kim Dae Jung, who was elected next President of the Republic of Korea. Japan hopes that the Republic of Korea will continue to grow and prosper under the able leadership of the elected President. Japan will also continue to cooperate and strive toward furthering of friendship between the two countries. Our basic policy toward the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged; that is, we believe that the Republic of Korea is one of Japan's most important neighbors, and the bilateral relationship is also one of the most important ones. For that bilateral relationship to grow, we would like to strengthen our friendship, based on historical lessons, and we hope that we can make it future-oriented and stable. We would also like to cooperate with the Republic of Korea on a variety of issues which are of mutual concern to both countries in the international arena.

2. Further Republic of Korea issues

   Q: You said the Government of Japan has sent a message. Has Prime Minister of Japan Ryutaro Hashimoto sent a congratulatory message?

   Spokesman Tanaka: Prime Minister of Japan Ryutaro Hashimoto has sent a congratulatory message to Mr. Kim Dae Jung, in which Prime Minister Hashimoto extended his heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Kim Dae Jung for his election to the office. Since Mr. Kim Dae Jung is a very experienced and knowledgeable politician, Prime Minister Hashimoto expects that the Republic of Korea will prosper under the able leadership of Mr. Kim Dae Jung. On our part, the Prime Minister stressed that we should strive further for mutual understanding and cooperation. Also, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Keizo Obuchi extended a congratulatory message to Mr. Kim Dae Jung.

   Q: Mr. Kim Dae Jung deserves congratulations, but he faces a very difficult issue of fiscal reconstruction. For that matter, I am very interested in taking up the situation of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO). Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States have been discussing the distribution of the US$5.2 billion. What is the situation now?

   Spokesman Tanaka: As you know, we have come up with the total picture of KEDO contributions. Japan continues to study the kind of contributions it could make in order to make KEDO a meaningful undertaking. We believe that the Republic of Korea should play a central role. That is what the Republic of Korea says, and we believe that it should be that way. There are some press reports that the United States is willing to contribute to KEDO. At this stage, I cannot confirm that, but we certainly expect that the countries concerned will make meaningful contributions to KEDO to launch it as soon as possible. Japan, for its part, will certainly do its best.

   Q: You have said as soon as possible. Do you have any specific timetable by which the partners will decide contributions?

   Spokesman Tanaka: Of course, we have our budget cycle, so we would like to put together our contribution as soon as possible. But as you know, the original draft budget examined by the Finance Minister does not include it. We will see what we can do about it. Any way, we have to make a rapid decision.

   Q: Is the Japanese Government confident that the Republic of Korea can play the central role under this financial -- ?

   Spokesman Tanaka: The Republic of Korea has agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a series of measures in order to shore up its economic activities to get over with the current, short-term, financial crisis. We believe that the fundamentals of the economy of the Republic of Korea remain sound and solid. When the Republic of Korea overcomes this short-term difficulty, we believe that the Republic of Korea will remain in the position to play a central role in this KEDO undertaking.

   Q: Then you would deny any possibility that the Republic of Korea would play a role lesser than the central role and Japan instead will provide support?

   Spokesman Tanaka: I do not believe that will be the case. As I said, the Republic of Korea is fully capable of tiding over the financial crisis that is now facing the country, and should play a central role in this KEDO project.