Leaders of Japan, S. Korea vow to Improve Ties

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and South Korea President Kim Dae-jung met here on Saturday and vowed to improve ties between their countries.

Kim and Koizumi, meeting for a second time within a week, also discussed the anti-terrorism issue.

Earlier this week, during his visit to South Korea, Koizumi said he sincerely regrets and apologizes for the sufferings his country inflicted on the Korea peninsula during Japanese colonial rule in 1910-1945.

Kim praised Koizumi for his introspection and apology over the Japanese atrocities last century. Kim also voiced his hope that Koizumi's introspection and apology will turn into actual and concrete action as correct recognition of history concerns today and tomorrow.

The two are here to attend an informal meeting of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum scheduled on Sunday.

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/