The leaders of Korea and Japan yesterday pledged to mend historical friction and forge future-oriented ties between the two countries, Cheong Wa Dae said.

During their summit in New York City on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, President Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama agreed to enhance coordination in tackling North Korea`s nuclear threat, the global economic crisis and climate change.

"The new Democratic Party of Japan government has the courage to face up to history. We want to develop a constructive and future-oriented relationship," Hatoyama was quoted as saying.

President Lee expressed confidence that the new Japanese leader will play a crucial role in forging trust-based closer relations between the two countries.



Hatoyama took office Sept. 16 following a landslide election victory last month, which ended a half-century of conservative rule.

Relations between Seoul and Tokyo have been often marred by Japan`s rightist leaders` denial of its wartime atrocities and its claims on the Dokdo islets in East Sea.

Hatoyama`s ascendancy raised hopes for improved ties. The center-left leader has advocated an Asia-centered foreign policy and a Japan that is more independent of the United States.

He has vowed to prevent historical issues and Japanese nationalism from damaging ties with Asian neighbors.

Hatoyama had said he would abide by former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama`s statement of apology in 1995 for Japan`s wartime aggression.

He also pledged not to visit the Yasukuni shrine, which honors war dead including convicted top war criminals.

The day before his inauguration, Lee expressed hope that Japanese Emperor Akihito will visit Seoul in 2010, the centennial of Japan`s forceful annexation of Korea.

Hatoyama visited Lee in Seoul on June 5 when he was an opposition leader.

On climate change, Lee praised Hatoyama`s offer during the U.N. Climate Summit on Tuesday to make a 25 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2020.

"Prime Minister Hatoyama`s bold proposal will be a catalyst for other countries like the United States and China," he said.

Lee expressed gratitude for Japan`s support for Seoul`s bid to host next year`s Group of 20 summit.

Lee and Hatoyama agreed to enhance cooperation to denuclearize North Korea through dialogue and pressure.

"It is better to resolve the issue through dialogue, but we need to keep pressure on the North through international cooperation if necessary," the Japanese leader was quoted as telling Lee.

Lee said despite North Korea`s recent reconciliatory gestures, it is showing no sincere willingness to give up its nuclear ambitions, according to his press secretary.

In an address to the U.N. General Assembly before the meeting, Lee called on the North to return to six-party nuclear disarmament talks immediately and without any preconditions.

He reiterated his "grand bargain" proposal for Pyongyang`s irreversible denuclearization in exchange for the international community`s security guarantee and economic aid.

Chinese President Hu Jintao told Lee in a summit on Wednesday that there is still a possibility of North Korea`s return to the six-way talks, according to Lee`s secretary.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il told China`s State Councilor Dai Bingguo in Pyongyang last week that the North was willing to engage in bilateral and multilateral talks on the nuclear issue, according to China`s official Xinhua News Agency.

Earlier yesterday, Lee met with Mongolian leader Tsakhia Elbegdorj and agreed on further economic cooperation in energy and resources sectors. Korea and Mongolia mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

(jjhwang@heraldm.com)



By Hwang Jang-jin