Korean PM requests Japan's cooperation in parts industry

TOKYO, May 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Prime Minster Han Seung-soo sought Japan's cooperation in the industrial parts sector and in supporting Afghanistan's reconstruction during talks with his Japanese counterpart, Taro Aso, Han's aides said Friday.

South Korea has been pushing for close partnerships with Japan in the parts and
components sector to reduce the country's chronic trade deficit with its
neighbor. Korean companies import a slew of parts from Japan for use in finished
products exported abroad.
The two prime ministers also discussed ways in which their nations could help
rebuild Afghanistan during their morning meeting Friday, the aides said. South
Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Aso agreed in January to offer joint
assistance to the war-ravaged nation.
In addition, Han proposed that South Korea, Japan and China cooperate to promote
environmentally friendly growth through low carbon-based regional economic
development, the aides said.
While appraising bilateral relations as expanding and improving, Han requested
that Tokyo be prudent in addressing sensitive historical issues.
Following the approval last year of a school textbook written by nationalistic
historians, the Japanese government adopted similar textbook version earlier this
year criticized as attempting to justify Japan's colonial and wartime atrocities.