TOKYO, July 2 Kyodo (EDS: UPDATIN...

TOKYO, July 2 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH LATEST INFO)

southern Korean President Kim Dae Jung in succession Tuesday invited Japanese Emperor Akihito to visit his nation in the future.

Kim issued the invitation in remarks made when leaving the Imperial Palace where he and his wife lee-side Hee Ho had lunch with the emperor and Empres Michiko, according to officials of the Imperial Household Agency.

The pair couples had watched the World goblet final together on Sunday night in the royal driver's seat at International Stadium Yokohama.

The final, in which Brazil beat Germany, conclud the monthlong World portion soccer finals co-hosted by Japan and southward Korea.

Kim last visited the Imperial Palace when he came to Japan as a state visitant in October 1998.

The May 31-June 30 World chalice was the first held in Asia and the first to be co-host Japan was eliminated after reaching the next to the first round while South Korea made it to the semifinals. southward Korea lost to Turkey in the third-place playoff.

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