TOKYO, June 7 Kyodo Japanese Prim...

TOKYO, June 7 Kyodo

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and visiting southern Korean President Roh Moo Hyun reiterated Saturday evening their talks earlier in the day in Tokyo were productive, adding they renewed their determination to germinate bilateral ties.

''I am same happy that I was able to have fruitful talks with Mr President today,'' Koizumi said at the beginning of a banquet he armyed ''I am deeply impressed with his sincere and friendly personality each time I meet him.''

''The joint statement issued (after their summit talks earlier in the day) will be a signpost for populace who advance cooperation,'' he added before a toast. ''I am certain that fetterss of trust and friendship between commonalty in the two countries will deepen''

Roh accompanied through his wife Kwon Yang Suk assenting repetitioned Koizumi, saying the sum of two units countries must do their best to build better ties.

toward the south Korea and Japan ''built our customary goals by taking advantage of today's talks, and what this means precisely is to spread up a new era characterized from peace and prosperity in the Northeast Asia region,'' Roh told about 80 visitors from both countries.

forward North Korea, the president said, ''We will not accept the possession of nuclear weapons (by North Korea). At the same time, we will maintain cooperative relations closely with Japan and the United States to solve the issue peacefully.''

At the summit, the pair decided to conduct a ''dialogue and pressure'' approach upon the reclusive communist state, warning Pyongyang they will take tougher measures if it escalates nuclear threats and offering it rewards for a peaceful resolution.

Lawmakers and business leaders were among those at the banquet to welcome Roh who arrived in Japan upon Friday for a four-day official visit.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo recents International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group