Korea, Japan agree on need to cooperate against flu spread

TOKYO, May 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Prime Minster Han Seung-soo on Friday reached a common understanding with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on the need for collective regional efforts to curb the spread of Influenza A, Han's aides said.

"The new flu is a problem that not only affects one single country, and
therefore, there is significance in Korea, China and Japan making joint efforts,"
Han was quoted as saying by his office.
As of Friday morning, the number of confirmed H1N1 influenza infections in Japan
had risen to 299, but there have been no deaths and most cases have been mild.
South Korea has confirmed three cases of the type-A flu. All patients were
released from quarantine after making full recoveries.
Regarding the stalled multilateral talks aimed at denuclearizing North Korea, Han
called for the relevant parties to "cooperate with patience," according to the
aides. The Japanese prime minister also underlined the need for the parties to
work closely without rushing for progress, they said.
North Korea withdrew from the six-party nuclear talks in the wake of U.N.
condemnation of its April 5 rocket launch, which Pyongyang insists orbited a
satellite. Its neighbors believe the launch was a missile test.
On the economic front, Han sought Japan's cooperation in the industrial parts
sector and in supporting Afghanistan's reconstruction, according to the aides.
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, the aides said. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Aso
agreed in January to offer joint assistance to the war-ravaged nation.