S Korean president to meet Japanese PM during ASEM in Beijing

Source: Xinhua | 10-21-2008 16:10

SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Xinhua)-- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Aso Taro on the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Beijing this week, the South Korean Presidential Office said on Tuesday.

"Following Lee's arrival in Beijing on Thursday, he will hold his first summit with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on Friday morning to seek closer cooperation in fighting the global financial crisis and other bilateral issues," said an aide of Lee.

The summit between Lee and Aso draws attention as it will be the first bilateral summit between South Korea and Japan since the relations chilled due to disputes over the islets of Dokdo, which Japan calls Takeshima, in early July.

Local media said that Lee and Aso are expected to talk about the U.S.-originated global financial crisis and the nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula.

Lee and Aso, along with leaders of 43 Asian and European members, are to visit Beijing to attend the 7th ASEM summit, which will be held Friday and Saturday under the theme of finding a win-win solution to pending international issues.

The ASEM summit has been held every two years since 1998, with the second summit held in Seoul in 2000.

The Presidential Office said Lee will also hold summits with leaders of France, Vietnam, Denmark and Poland on the sidelines of the ASEM summit.

Editor:Zhang Ning