[Title] Japan-Republic of Korea Summit Joint Statement, Building the Foundations of Japan-ROK Cooperation toward an Age of Peace and Prosperity in Northeast Asia
President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea and Mrs. Roh paid an official visit to Japan as State Guests from 6 to 9 June 2003. During his stay in Japan, President Roh held a summit meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan.
In accordance with the spirit of the "Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration - A New Japan-Republic of Korea Partnership towards the Twenty-first Century," announced in October 1998, the leaders shared the recognition that both Japan and the ROK must keep past history in mind, and based on that, advance together to develop a future-oriented mutual relationship in the 21st century.
The leaders shared their resolve to continue to deepen the trust and friendship between the countries and to develop the relationship to a higher level while sustaining the momentum of goodwill and friendship between Japan and the ROK built up through the Year of Japan-Republic of Korea National Exchange and the success of the Japan-Korea World Cup Soccer tournament in 2002.
1. Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his support for the "Peace and Prosperity Policy" of the Government of the ROK, which seeks to achieve a permanent consolidation of peace on the Korean Peninsula and common prosperity in Northeast Asia. President Roh supported the basic policy of the Government of Japan based on the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration to achieve the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea to resolve the concerns of Japan such as nuclear and missile issues and the abduction issue in a way that contributes to peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
2. The leaders shared the recognition that the nuclear issue of North Korea is a serious threat to peace and stability not just on the Korean Peninsula but in Northeast Asia, and to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
(1) In this regard, the leaders agreed that they would not accept the possession of nuclear weapons or any nuclear development programs of North Korea, and that a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the issue was essential.
(2) The leaders strongly called on North Korea to refrain from actions that would further exacerbate the current situation in order to bring about a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue of North Korea. In this respect, the leaders reaffirmed the principles agreed upon at the Republic of Korea-United States Summit Meeting on 14 May and the Japan-United States Summit Meeting on 23 May, and agreed to enhance cooperation between Japan and the ROK.
(3) Both leaders also stressed that the North Korean nuclear weapons program must be dismantled in a verifiable and irreversible manner.
(4) The leaders expressed their confidence that a peaceful solution to the North Korean nuclear issue could be reached, and confirmed that for that purpose Japan, the ROK and the United States would maintain close consultation and coordination, and continue cooperation with the international community including countries concerned such as the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation. Moreover, the leaders emphasized that if problems regarding North Korea such as the nuclear issues are resolved peacefully and comprehensively and North Korea becomes a responsible member of the international community, extensive assistance from the international community for North Korea would be possible.
(5) The leaders also shared the recognition that the tripartite talks among the United States, China and North Korea held in Beijing from 23-25 April were useful as a first step in the dialogue toward resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, and welcomed the role of China in the talks.
(6) The leaders shared the opinion that further meetings should be held promptly for the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and that the momentum of dialogue needs to be sustained. They also expressed strong expectations regarding a process of multilateral dialogue with the participation of Japan and the ROK for a comprehensive resolution of issues related to North Korea.
3. The leaders stated that they would cooperate closely on various issues in order to hew a path to the age of Northeast Asia filled with peace and prosperity and the building of a bright and prosperous future based on principles of liberalism, democracy and market economy shared by Japan and the ROK.
(1) The conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Japan and the ROK would have enormous significance in promoting bilateral trade and investment, enhancing the competitiveness of both countries, contributing to East Asian and, furthermore, world economic growth, and promoting regional economic partnership. Therefore, the leaders paid due attention to the formation of the shared recognition regarding the necessity of concluding a comprehensive FTA in the Japan-Korea FTA Joint Study Group, and expected that the Joint Study Group would produce meaningful outcomes. In this light, Japan and the ROK will make efforts to initiate negotiations to conclude a FTA as soon as possible. In addition, they will also make further efforts to create an environment conducive to propelling a Japan-ROK FTA.
(2) In order to develop cooperative economic relations between the two countries as partners, it is preferable that bilateral trade between the two countries would advance toward expansion and in this light, both leaders recognized the importance of industrial cooperation. In addition, the leaders expected that investment between the two countries would further expand in both directions taking the opportunity of the conclusion of the Investment Treaty between Japan and the ROK, and both leaders will mutually make further efforts to accelerate this process.
(3) Under the shared recognition that the maintenance and enhancement of the global free trade regime contributes to the prosperity of the region and of the world, the leaders will cooperate in various opportunities such as the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations.
(4) Japan and ROK will continue active cooperation in dealing with various global issues, including environmental issues, international terrorism, piracy, illegal acts involving states and international organized crime such as trafficking of narcotics and stimulants through international frameworks dealing with global issues, the various frameworks for regional cooperation or at state level.
4. Both leaders reaffirmed that the foundation for strengthening Japan-ROK cooperation toward the future was deep mutual understanding, warm friendship and vigorous exchange of people and culture between people from various fields and generations of both countries, particularly between young people who would be leaders of the next generation. In order to expand and deepen these elements, they agreed to sustain and develop the existing cooperative relationship and to work together, on the following points in particular:
(1) Promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between Japanese and Korean citizens from various fields and generations
a. To celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the normalization of Japan-ROK diplomatic relations, the year 2005 will be designated "Japan-Korea Festa 2005," where various joint programs between Japan and ROK will be held in fields such as culture and academia. This will create an opportunity to promote mutual understanding and friendship between Japanese and Korean citizens from various fields and generations, including young people who will be the main players in Japan-ROK relations in the next generation.
b. The "Japan-ROK Joint Project for the Future" will be more vigorously promoted, with further expansion for the youth and sports exchange where exchange of about 10,000 young people per year is the goal.
c. Both countries will make efforts toward further development of intellectual exchange, including the Japan-ROK Forum.
d. Both countries will promote mutual exchange between leaders of the next generation in various fields such as politics, economics, academia and culture.
(2) Efforts toward the formation of a one-day life area between Japan and the ROK
a. Japan and the ROK will make further efforts to realize visa exemptions at an early date for ROK nationals traveling to Japan. As a new step for this purpose, the Government of Japan will consider the realization of visa exemptions, especially for ROK students visiting Japan on school trips, and will consider again the granting of visa exemptions during a limited period.
b. Both countries will promote the early realization of flights between Kimpo Airport and Haneda Airport.
(3) Expansion of Japan-ROK exchange
a. In order to activate cultural exchange, the ROK will expand the categories of Japanese popular culture open to ROK citizens.
b. Both countries will build a closer cooperative relationship in the campaign to increase the number of foreign tourists visiting either country, in the aim of further expanding mutual tourism exchange.
c. Both countries will strive to conclude at an early date the Agreement on Social Security and the Agreement regarding Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters that are currently under negotiation. Regarding mutual recognition, both countries accelerate the work necessary for the launch of negotiations on mutual recognition, based on what has been done so far at the experts' working level and what is expected to be done at the Japan-Korea FTA Joint Study Group.
d. Both countries will promote exchange between their respective regions through Japan Week held in the ROK and Korea Week held in Japan.
e. Both countries will continue to promote teacher invitation programs, sports exchange programs and Japanese and Korean language mutual learning support programs as part of the Japan-ROK New Century Exchange Project.
f. Both countries will strengthen exchange and cooperation such as the exchange of people in the field of cultural property, and will activate the exchange of tangible and intangible cultural property.
5. The leaders agreed to make regular check-ups on the status of progress of the items contained in this Joint Statement at various occasions such as foreign minister meetings in the future.