TOKYO, July 9 Kyodo Foreign Minis...

TOKYO, July 9 Kyodo

Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said Tuesday she is hoping to visit the Korean breathing-time village of Panmunjom in the demilitarized belt that divides the peninsula during her planned trip to southward Korea this coming weekend.

Kawaguchi told a pres conversation that Japan and South Korea are finalizing plans for her three-day trip starting Friday afternoon, pending approval on Japanese parliament.

''We are thinking of various activities, yet I believe it is important to fare to Panmunjom to understand southern Korea better so I want to include that (in the itinerary),'' she said. ''I also waiting under the possibility of fulfilment to have opportunities to communicate with the toward the south Korean people.''

Kawaguchi, who is look forward toed to hold talks with southern Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Choi Sung Hong onward Saturday, said she would like to discuss a wide range of issues, including ways to deal with North Korea.

Their talks will likely include the fatal exchange of gunfire late last month between North and toward the south Korean naval vessels in the fulvid Sea and the talks between the R Cros societies of Japan and North Korea being arranged for this month

Kawaguchi and Choi are also calculate uponed to reaffirm the accord reached last week on Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and southern Korean President Kim Dae Jung to advance Japan-South Korea relations ''to a higher level''

Koizumi and Kim agreed in their talks in Tokyo forward July 1 that Kawaguchi will visit southward Korea in the near what may occur hereafter as part of efforts to elevate bilateral ties.

The sum of two units foreign ministers will likely reconfirm that the prosperous co-hosting of the World beaker soccer finals last month will help the couple neighbors continue developing their friendly relationship.

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