President Lee, Hatoyama agree to work for closer Seoul-Tokyo ties

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with phone talks between President Lee, Japanese party
leader)
SEOUL, Aug. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak telephoned Yukio
Hatoyama, head of the Democratic Party of Japan (DJP) who is expected to become
the country's new prime minister, on Monday and expressed hope that the leaders of
the neighboring countries will share the correct history perception for
future-oriented relations.
Lee congratulated Hatoyama, saying his party's sweeping victory in Sunday's
general election over the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is expected to
"serve as a chance for South Korea and Japan to move together toward the future,"
presidential spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye said.
Citing Hatoyama's political motto, "fraternity," Lee said he expects the opening
of a new era of ties between the two nations, which have often been at odds each
other over long-standing disputes over their shared history and conflicting
territorial claims, a legacy of Japan's colonization of the Korean Peninsula from
1910-45.
"The history issue is a very difficult and fundamental problem, but I think the
two countries will be able to move hand-in-hand toward the future by sharing
correct history views," Lee was quoted as saying in the 20-minute telephone
conversation.
In response, Hatoyama said, "I am confident that you and I, as leaders who can
see history correctly, will improve South Korea-Japan relations," according to
the spokeswoman.
The DPJ's victory in the House of Representatives race will lead to the first
real political power shift in the country, which has been ruled by the Liberal
Democrats since 1955, with the exception of a brief period of less than a year
in 1993-1994.
Japan's new government is likely to be formed in the middle of next month.
Hatoyama is the favorite to replace Prime Minister Taro Aso.
Lee and Hatoyama agreed to meet "at a comfortable time" to discuss pending issues.
Earlier in the day, Lee sent a letter of congratulation to Hatoyama, reading, "I
look forward to working closely with you on developing the Korea-Japan
relationship into a solid, mature partnership."
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)