Japan considers inviting South Korean leader to 2008 G8 meeting
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TOKYO, Dec. 22 (Yonhap) - Japan may invite Yi Myo’ng-pak [Lee Myung-bak] to the 2008 G8 summit meeting planned for July in Toyako.
Former South Korean Prime Minister Nam Duck-woo, who is co-chairman of the South Korea-Japan cooperation committee, made the request during talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in Tokyo.
The Japanese premier said he will carefully examine the proposal and consult with other members of the G8 to see whether it is possible. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone is the co-chair of the cooperation committee that aims to enhance relations between Japan and South Korea.
Lee, who is scheduled to take office in late February, could be invited as a guest to the meeting that is to be attended by leaders from the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Russia.
The CEO-turned-politician from the conservative Grand National Party won a landslide victory in the election held on Wednesday, and promised a pragmatic approach in economics and diplomacy.
Observers said the Lee administration will be more closely aligned to the United States and Japan compared to the incumbent government and those under ex-President Kim Tae-chung [Kim Dae-jung].
They said an invitation to the G8 summit could open the door for regular talks between South Korean and Japanese leaders that were put on hold under the Roh Moo-hyun [No Mu-hyo’n] administration
Filed by Catherine Tsalikis under Other