Telephone Talk Between Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Lee Myung-bak, President of Republic of Korea

On May 24 (Mon), Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, Prime Minister of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.E Mr. Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea for fifteen minutes, starting at 5:30 pm.

During the meeting, with respect to the sinking incident the Korean Navy patrol vessel, Prime Minister Hatoyama offered his respect toward the resolute and calm manner with which President Lee Myung-bak demonstrated in his speech on the morning of May 24. Prime Minister Hatoyama also stated that he presided a Security Council Meeting in response to President's address today. He also reaffirmed that Japan's position was to strongly support ROK.

In response, President Lee Myung-bak offered his gratitude to the position of the Government of Japan. He also stated that he would like to continue close collaboration in dealing with this matter either bilaterally between Japan and ROK, and trilaterally among Japan, ROK, and the United States.

Both leaders agreed to maintain close communication, including the Japan-ROK-China Summit Meeting and Japan-ROK Summit Meeting scheduled to be held this weekend at Jeju, ROK.